Bulk advection and interfacial flows in the binary coalescence of surfactant-laden and surfactant-free drops
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Published version
Author(s)
Nowak, E
Xie, Z
Kovalchuk, NM
Matar, OK
Simmons, MJH
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This work focuses on the study of bulk flows accompanying the coalescence of two aqueous drops, one containing surfactant and the other surfactant-free, in silicone oils of various viscosities. It is observed that the surfactant-free drop intrudes into the surfactant-laden drop in the form of a penetrating jet whose speed increases and average radius decreases with increasing outer phase viscosity. Mixing patterns within the coalescing drops are due to the force imbalance caused by capillary pressure difference and surfactant-induced Marangoni stresses. The driving force for mixing associated with the difference in interfacial tension between the drops is considerably stronger than that related to the drop size. The long timescale mixing of the drops is driven by rapid interior convection, and the subsequent, slow, diffusive process. Three-dimensional numerical simulations show excellent qualitative and quantitative agreement with the experimental results. The implications of our results to formulation strategies of complex microstructures in practical applications are also discussed.
Date Issued
2017-07-14
Date Acceptance
2017-06-04
Citation
Soft Matter, 2017, 13 (26), pp.4616-4628
ISSN
1744-683X
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
4616
End Page
4628
Journal / Book Title
Soft Matter
Volume
13
Issue
26
Copyright Statement
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence
License URL
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/K003976/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Polymer Science
Chemistry
Materials Science
Physics
MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE
DROPLETS
BEADS
CHIP
Publication Status
Published