Droplet-based electro-coalescence for probing threshold disjoining pressure

Lab on a Chip
Zhou LiuHo Cheung Shum

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the coalescence of emulsion droplets in a controlled electric field. Two contacting droplets stabilized by surfactants can be forced to coalesce into a combined one when the applied voltage is above a critical value. The critical voltages change with the types, concentrations of surfactants and temperature. By exploring the drainage of a thin oil film trapped between emulsions, we interpret that the coalescence occurs as the electric compression overcomes the disjoining pressure barrier and squeezes the film to a critical thickness. Based on this, we have devised an approach to probe the threshold disjoining pressure which can help predict the emulsion stability and surfactant efficacy quantitatively. We have confirmed the validity of our approach for measuring the threshold disjoining pressure by comparing the result with other proven tests that involve centrifugation and thermal heating. Our approach is simple, reliable and robust in predicting emulsion stability and will facilitate the design of emulsion-based formulations by accelerating the testing of emulsion stability.

References

Oct 19, 1992·Physical Review Letters·J BibetteD A Weitz
Jun 7, 2005·Advances in Colloid and Interface Science·Emil D Manev, Anh V Nguyen
Sep 6, 2005·Journal of Colloid and Interface Science·Ruhi VermaKajari Kargupta
May 31, 2006·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Benjamin SteinhausAmy Q Shen
Oct 19, 2007·Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·David Julian McClements
Oct 30, 2007·Journal of Colloid and Interface Science·Farshid MostowfiSubir Bhattacharjee
Aug 26, 2009·Lab on a Chip·Linas MazutisAndrew D Griffiths
Sep 1, 2009·Analytical Chemistry·Xize NiuJoshua B Edel
Aug 4, 2011·Lab on a Chip·Shin-Hyun KimDavid A Weitz
Sep 6, 2011·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Arnab AttaSubir Bhattacharjee
Mar 29, 2012·Lab on a Chip·Linas Mazutis, Andrew D Griffiths
Jan 24, 2014·Biomicrofluidics·Yang SongHo Cheung Shum
May 3, 2014·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Ju Hyeon KimShin-Hyun Kim
Oct 31, 2014·Chemical Communications : Chem Comm·Fuquan Tu, Daeyeon Lee
Jan 16, 2015·Lab on a Chip·Minkyu KimSindy K Y Tang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 24, 2016·Soft Matter·Zhou LiuHo Cheung Shum
Mar 28, 2017·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Likai HouHongyuan Jiang
Jun 8, 2018·Journal of Colloid and Interface Science·Lingyu SunYuanjin Zhao
Dec 14, 2017·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·A SrivastavaA K Sen
Apr 14, 2020·ACS Omega·Thomas LearyCharles Maldarelli

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.