Journal article

Measurement and analysis of forces in bubble and droplet systems using AFM

RF Tabor, F Grieser, RR Dagastine, DYC Chan

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science | Published : 2012

Abstract

The use of atomic force microscopy to measure and understand the interactions between deformable colloids - particularly bubbles and drops - has grown to prominence over the last decade. Insight into surface and structural forces, hydrodynamic drainage and coalescence events has been obtained, aiding in the understanding of emulsions, foams and other soft matter systems. This article provides information on experimental techniques and considerations unique to performing such measurements. The theoretical modelling frameworks which have proven crucial to quantitative analysis are presented briefly, along with a summary of the most significant results from drop and bubble AFM measurements. The..

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Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to co-workers, both past and present, who have provided much of the data and insight which has supported this work: T. Chau, R. Manica, I. Vakarelski, G. Webber, H. Lockie, O. Manor, C. Wu, E. Klaseboer. X. S. Tang and S. O'Shea are thanked for preparing the cantilevers used in many of the experiments. The ARC is thanked for financial support, and the Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, a special research centre of the ARC, provided infrastructure support.