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Surface Tensions of Picoliter Droplets with Sub-Millisecond Surface Age
Rachael E H Miles1, Michael W J Glerum1, Hallie C Boyer2
1School of Chemistry , University of Bristol , Cantock's Close , Bristol BS8 1TS , United Kingdom.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. A
|March 14, 2019
Summary
Measuring aerosol surface tension is crucial. This study introduces a novel method using microdroplet dispensers and stroboscopic imaging to determine surface tension of tiny, young aerosol droplets accurately.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Aerosol particles are vital atmospheric components and industrial materials.
- Their high surface-to-volume ratio makes surface properties critical.
- Directly measuring aerosol surface properties, especially for young droplets, is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for measuring the surface tension of picoliter-volume aerosol droplets.
- To investigate surface tension variations with droplet size and surface age.
- To compare results with established techniques and theoretical models.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a microdroplet dispenser to generate droplets with surface ages under 1 millisecond.
- Employing high time-resolution (500 ns) stroboscopic imaging to monitor dynamic shape oscillations.
- Analyzing droplet oscillations to retrieve surface tension across various sizes (10-25 μm radius) and ages (down to ~100 μs).
Main Results:
- The microdroplet dispenser method accurately measures surface tension for young, small droplets.
- Validated for sodium chloride, glutaric acid, and water, showing no surface tension variation with surface age.
- Results align with holographic optical tweezers measurements and statistical thermodynamic models for older droplets.
Conclusions:
- The developed approach enables precise surface tension measurements of young aerosol droplets.
- This technique, combined with others, facilitates comprehensive studies of droplet surface tension across diverse conditions.
- It opens avenues for understanding aerosol behavior in atmospheric and industrial contexts.
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