Two-dimensional observation of drainage and layering transitions in confined liquids

Friedrich Gunther Mugele, T. Becker, A. Klingner, M. Salmeron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademic

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We used a surface forces apparatus (SFA) to investigate the drainage of thin films of undecanol from a pore consisting of two atomically smooth mica sheets. Time-resolved images of the contact area during drainage show an initial elastohydrodynamic deformation of the substrates. In the late stage, the expulsion of a molecularly thin layer of alcohol is imaged in two dimensions. We analyze the dynamics of the expulsion process and discuss the physical mechanisms in terms of a model that includes the hydrodynamic flow in the two-dimensional liquid layer and the elastic properties of the substrates. We also discuss the optical resolution required to observe layering transitions in two dimensions and present a new design of a SFA optimized for these purposes.
Original languageUndefined
Pages (from-to)105-113
JournalColloids and surfaces A: Physicochemical and engineering aspects
Volume206
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

Keywords

  • IR-57260

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