Collapse of Particle-Laden Interfaces under Compression: Buckling vs Particle Expulsion

Langmuir. 2015 Jul 21;31(28):7764-75. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b01652. Epub 2015 Jul 6.

Abstract

Colloidal particles can bind to fluid interfaces with a capillary energy that is thousands of times the thermal energy. This phenomenon offers an effective route to emulsion and foam stabilization where the stability is influenced by the phase behavior of the particle-laden interface under deformation. Despite the vast interest in particle-laden interfaces, the key factors that determine the collapse of such an interface under compression have remained relatively unexplored. In this study, we illustrate the significance of the particle surface wettability and presence of electrolyte in the subphase on interparticle interactions at the interface and the resulting collapse mode. Various collapse mechanisms including buckling, particle expulsion, and multilayer formation are reported and interpreted in terms of particle-particle and particle-interface interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electrolytes / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Pressure*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry*
  • Wettability*

Substances

  • Electrolytes
  • Silicon Dioxide