Interaction forces between oil-water particle interfaces - Non-DLVO forces

Abstract

The interaction force between a rigid silica sphere and a butyl or octyl acetate droplet was measured in an aqueous environment using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The force measurements were performed without added stabilizers and the observed force behavior was found to be dependent on the type of inorganic electrolyte present, where the interfacial tension was constant over the electrolyte concentration range used. Force measurements in the presence of sodium nitrate showed repulsion at all concentrations. Force measurements in the presence of calcium nitrate or sodium perchlorate exhibited an initial repulsion followed by an attraction resulting in a mechanical instability in the AFM ca..