Dynamics of Marangoni-Driven Elliptical Janus Particles

TL;DR

This study explores how the shape and size of elliptical Janus particles influence their Marangoni-driven motion on water surfaces, combining experiments and numerical modeling to reveal complex dynamics and phase behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical model linking camphor concentration dynamics to particle motion, elucidating the impact of particle geometry on Marangoni propulsion.

Findings

Simulations match experimental trajectories across various shapes.

Particle eccentricity and size significantly alter steady-state dynamics.

A phase diagram characterizes different dynamical states based on surfactant properties.

Abstract

We investigate the spontaneous motion of an elliptical Janus particle, driven by Marangoni forces, on a water surface to understand how particle shape and size influence its dynamics. The Janus particle is one-half infused with a substance such as camphor, which lowers the surface tension upon release onto the water surface. The resulting surface tension gradient generates Marangoni forces that propel the particle. For fully camphor-infused (non-Janus) particles, previous studies have shown that motion occurs along the short axis of the ellipse. However, for Janus particles, our experiments reveal a much richer steady-state dynamics, depending on both the particle's eccentricity and size. To understand these dynamics, we develop a numerical model that captures the connection between the spatio-temporal evolution of the camphor concentration field and the Marangoni force driving the particle. Using this model, we simulate the motion of particles with varying eccentricities - from nearly circular to highly elongated shapes. The simulations qualitatively reproduce all the trajectories observed in experiments and provide insights into how particle geometry influences the dynamics of chemically driven anisotropic particles. With the help of the numerical model, we compute a full phase diagram characterising the dynamical states as a function of surfactant properties.