Flocculation of deformable emulsion droplets. 1: Droplet shape and line tension effects
- Univ. of Sofia (Bulgaria). Lab. of Thermodynamics and Physicochemical Hydrodynamics
A simple theoretical model which allows the study of the configuration and the interaction energy of a doublet of flocculated Brownian droplets was recently proposed (Denkov et al., Phys, Rev. Lett. 71, 3226 (1993)). In this model the equilibrium film radius and thickness are determined by minimizing the total pair interaction energy which is presented as a sum of explicit expressions for the different contributions (van der Waals, electrostatic, steric, depletion, surface extension, etc.). In the present study this simplified model is numerically verified by comparison with the results stemming from the real shape of the interacting droplets. In order to determine the real configuration of two drops in contact the authors solve numerically the augmented Laplace equation of capillarity which accounts for the interaction between the droplets. Then the total interaction energy is alteratively calculated by integrating the energy density along the surfaces of the droplets. The numerical comparison shows that the equilibrium film radius and thickness, as well as the interaction energy calculated by means of the simplified model, are in very good agreement with the results from the more detailed (but more complex) approach. Numerical calculations of the equilibrium line tensions acting at the film periphery, a function of the droplet radius, are performed. The obtained results are relevant also to flocs containing more than two particles since the theory predicts pairwise additivity of the interaction energy in most cases. The results can be useful in gaining a deeper understanding of the processes of stabilization of flocculation in emulsions. Emulsions of great importance in many areas of human activity such as oil recovery.
- OSTI ID:
- 160810
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 176, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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