Particle-Filled Emulsion Drops Show Flow-Induced Partial Coalescence, but Only Transiently.

ABSTRACT: Partial coalescence refers to a process where two or more droplets come into contact and merge, but do not recover spherical shape. We conduct a flow-visualization study of the shear flow-induced partial coalescence of an emulsion of particle-filled drops. Experiments are conducted with poly-(ethylene oxide) drops dispersed in polyisobutylene. The drops are filled to over 50 vol % with spherical silica particles. Partial coalescence is attributable to the solid-like behavior induced by the particles inside the drops and possibly at the interface. After subjecting the emulsions to high-rate shear, the drops adopt slightly nonspherical shapes and retain them even under quiescent conditions. Subsequent shearing at lower rate causes these drops to partially coalesce into highly irregular drop

SUBMITTER: Vaswani J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12636018 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature