Coalescence of biphasic droplets embedded in free standing smectic A films
- We investigate micrometer-sized flat droplets consisting of an isotropic core surrounded by a nematic rim in freely suspended smectic A liquid-crystal films. In contrast to purely isotropic droplets which are characterized by a sharp edge and no long-range interactions, the nematic fringe introduces a continuous film thickness change resulting in long-range mutual attraction of droplets. The coalescence scenario is divided in two phases. The first one consists in the fusion of the nematicWe investigate micrometer-sized flat droplets consisting of an isotropic core surrounded by a nematic rim in freely suspended smectic A liquid-crystal films. In contrast to purely isotropic droplets which are characterized by a sharp edge and no long-range interactions, the nematic fringe introduces a continuous film thickness change resulting in long-range mutual attraction of droplets. The coalescence scenario is divided in two phases. The first one consists in the fusion of the nematic regions. The second phase involves the dissolution of a thin nematic film between the two isotropic cores. The latter has many similarities with the rupture of thin liquid films between droplets coalescing in an immiscible viscous liquid. Coalescence of biphasic droplets in free-standing smectic films is controlled in part by the rupture of a thin nematic membrane separating the isotropic droplet cores.…
Author: | Christoph Klopp, Torsten Trittel, Kirsten Harth, Ralf Stannarius |
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URL: | https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/sm/d3sm01549a |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1039/d3sm01549a |
ISSN: | 1744-683X |
Parent Title (English): | Soft Matter |
Publisher: | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Document Type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Year of Publishing: | 2023 |
Date of Publication (online): | 2024/02/20 |
Publishing Institution: | Technische Hochschule Brandenburg |
Release Date: | 2024/02/20 |
Volume: | 20 |
Issue: | 5 |
Page Number: | 11 |
First Page: | 1036 |
Last Page: | 1046 |
Institutes: | Fachbereich Technik |
University Bibliography: | Hochschulbibliografie |
Licence (German): | Creative Commons - CC BY - Namensnennung 4.0 |