Phase equilibria in stratified thin liquid films stabilized by colloidal particles

TL;DR

This paper investigates phase equilibria in stratified thin liquid films stabilized by colloidal particles using thermodynamic formalism and Monte Carlo simulations, revealing multiple relaxation stages and phase coexistence.

Contribution

It introduces a quasi-two-dimensional thermodynamic approach and models film stratification and phase coexistence in colloidal-stabilized films.

Findings

Identification of three distinct relaxation time scales.

Quantitative description of film stratification.

Determination of coexisting phases in different equilibrium states.

Abstract

Phase equilibria between regions of different thickness in thin liquid films stabilized by colloidal particles are investigated using a quasi-two-dimensional thermodynamic formalism. Appropriate equilibrium conditions for the film tension, normal pressure, and chemical potential of the particles in the film are formulated, and it is shown that the relaxation of these parameters occurs consecutively on three distinct time scales. Film stratification is described quantitatively for a hard-sphere suspension using a Monte-Carlo method to evaluate thermodynamic equations of state. Coexisting phases are determined for systems in constrained- and full-equilibrium states that correspond to different stages of film relaxation.