Work

Hydrodynamic instability triggered during thin-film formation by interfacial polymerization

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: An exothermic reaction at an immiscible liquid–liquid interface is at the core of several industrial processes and can trigger hydrodynamic instability. Here, we study interfacial polymerization, where a thin film is formed, whose morphology is known to be altered by synthesis conditions, impacting its industrial performance. Particle tracking microscopy is used to quantify fluid motion as a proxy for hydrodynamic instability intensity. Results indicate that, upon increasing polymerization-rate, particle motion transitions from Brownian to directed and is attributed to interfacially driven instabilities; concurrently, film morphology turns from smooth to crumpled. These results provide important insight for improved control over film fabrication.

Source: Physics of Fluids

DOI: 10.1063/5.0214054

Authors: Adi M. Ben-Zvi, Guy Z. Ramon

Institution: Technion – Israel Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Fluid Dynamics and Thin Films

Subfield: Computational Mechanics

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Jewish National Fund, Israel Science Foundation

Award: G8513112391