Effects of Interfacial Shear on Particle Aggregation at an Oil/Water Interface

Using a Stokesian dynamics simulation, the microstructure of particle aggregates at an oil/water interface with an applied Couette flow is studied. The results of the aggregation are consistent with previously published experimental work demonstrating multiple regimes of behavior based on the relative strength of shear and capillary forces. In previous work, densification of aggregates at low shear rates was theorized to occur due to short time scale fragmentation/reaggregation of aggregates with rigid particle bonds. In simulations, densification is observed at low shear rates but occurs due to local reorganization of particles due to capillary torques over long time scales. Moderate shear rates create mobile bonds between particles at shorter time scales, allowing aggregates to fragment without reaggregation into smaller isolated clusters, consistent with prior experimental work. At the highest shear rates, aggregation is inhibited completely.