Emulsification in Viscoelastic Media

T. G. Mason and J. Bibette
Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 3481 – Published 14 October 1996
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Abstract

We have created stable monodisperse emulsions by shearing and rupturing crude polydisperse emulsions of larger droplets into smaller droplets having a unique size. To eliminate inhomogeneous fracture flow which can lead to nonuniform rupturing and broad polydispersity, we use a shearing geometry with a narrow gap. We can control the final droplet size by altering the shearing conditions and the emulsion's viscoelasticity which depends on its composition. We argue that the high degree of monodispersity, indicated by Bragg scattering from colloidal crystals of droplets, may result from a capillary instability that includes the role of the emulsion's viscoelasticity.

  • Received 2 May 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.3481

©1996 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

T. G. Mason and J. Bibette

  • Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Avenue A. Schweitzer, F-33600 Pessac, France

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Vol. 77, Iss. 16 — 14 October 1996

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