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Contact angles associated with thin liquid films in emulsions

Abstract

As a result of interaction forces, the tension of a thin liquid film can be lower than the sum of the interfacial tensions of the bulk surfaces bounding the film1. To satisfy conditions of mechanical equilibrium, this reduced film tension leads to a macroscopic contact angle between the film and its associated Plateau border2. We have observed and report here very high contact angles, in some cases approaching 90°, for aqueous films between oil droplets, stabilized by anionic surfactants in the presence of various electrolytes. The contact angle is found to depend on the nature of the surfactant head group, type and concentration of counter-ion, and temperature. These contact angles have a pronounced effect on the stability, structure and rheology of emulsions.

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Aronson, M., Princen, H. Contact angles associated with thin liquid films in emulsions. Nature 286, 370–372 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/286370a0

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