The interaction energy between emulsion droplets of micron and submicron size is theoretically studied. The role of the droplet deformability is considered in details and the equilibrium configuration of a doublet of droplets is determined. It is shown that the attractive interactions may lead to formation of a planar film between two colliding droplets. This deformation is particularly important at high electrolyte concentration and low interfacial tension. The radial distribution function, which can be used for determination of thermodynamic properties of emulsions, is calculated taking into account the droplet deformability.

• Received 1 June 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.71.3226