Experiments of water flow using a non saturated porous medium constituted by different α- wet unsaturated alumina systems indicate that particle surface charge decreased the amount of water moved. Maximum water movement occurred when surface charge was zero. Water movement was affected by thickness of the electrical double layer at pH where particles have net charge (out of the IEPpH). These results suggest charge-induced structuring of water adjacent to charged particle surfaces.
alumina; electrical double layer; surface charge; water flow
