The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets

Phase transitions in colloid-polymer mixtures have attracted a large amount of attention over the last 20 years (W. C. K. Poon, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 2002, 14, R859; R. Tuinier, J. Rieger and C. G. de Kruif, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci., 2003, 103, 1). By comparison, the interfacial tension betw...

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Main Author: Aarts, D
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2007
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author Aarts, D
author_facet Aarts, D
author_sort Aarts, D
collection OXFORD
description Phase transitions in colloid-polymer mixtures have attracted a large amount of attention over the last 20 years (W. C. K. Poon, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 2002, 14, R859; R. Tuinier, J. Rieger and C. G. de Kruif, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci., 2003, 103, 1). By comparison, the interfacial tension between the coexisting phases has received little attention. Here, we show that the ultralow interfacial tension in fluid-fluid demixed colloid-polymer systems, which is roughly one million times smaller than in ordinary liquids, manifests itself in a wide variety of interface characteristics and processes. Discussed are the interfacial wetting behaviour close to a hard wall, the thermal capillary waves at the free interface and the process of droplet coalescence and breakup. These subjects can be studied in a single experiment by combining modern soft matter chemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. This combination allows a further exploration of a broad range of interface issues. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.
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spelling oxford-uuid:845bbebc-8486-497c-bf1d-a744a77a856e2022-03-26T21:50:37ZThe interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and dropletsJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:845bbebc-8486-497c-bf1d-a744a77a856eEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2007Aarts, DPhase transitions in colloid-polymer mixtures have attracted a large amount of attention over the last 20 years (W. C. K. Poon, J. Phys.: Condens. Matter, 2002, 14, R859; R. Tuinier, J. Rieger and C. G. de Kruif, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci., 2003, 103, 1). By comparison, the interfacial tension between the coexisting phases has received little attention. Here, we show that the ultralow interfacial tension in fluid-fluid demixed colloid-polymer systems, which is roughly one million times smaller than in ordinary liquids, manifests itself in a wide variety of interface characteristics and processes. Discussed are the interfacial wetting behaviour close to a hard wall, the thermal capillary waves at the free interface and the process of droplet coalescence and breakup. These subjects can be studied in a single experiment by combining modern soft matter chemistry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. This combination allows a further exploration of a broad range of interface issues. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.
spellingShingle Aarts, D
The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets
title The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets
title_full The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets
title_fullStr The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets
title_full_unstemmed The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets
title_short The interface in demixed colloid-polymer systems: wetting, waves and droplets
title_sort interface in demixed colloid polymer systems wetting waves and droplets
work_keys_str_mv AT aartsd theinterfaceindemixedcolloidpolymersystemswettingwavesanddroplets
AT aartsd interfaceindemixedcolloidpolymersystemswettingwavesanddroplets