Lattice-Boltzmann Model of Amphiphilic Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a lattice-Boltzmann model for simulating the dynamics of oil-water-surfactant mixtures, accurately capturing static and dynamic behaviors of amphiphilic systems.

Contribution

It develops a new lattice-Boltzmann model based on Ginzburg-Landau theory for amphiphilic systems with a scalar order parameter.

Findings

Successfully calculates undulation modes of oil-water interfaces.

Models spontaneous emulsification after a quench.

Shows good agreement with analytical results.

Abstract

A lattice-Boltzmann model for the study of the dynamics of oil-water-surfactant mixtures is constructed. The model, which is based on a Ginzburg-Landau theory of amphiphilic systems with a single, scalar order parameter, is then used to calculate the spectrum of undulation modes of an oil-water interface and the spontaneous emulsification of oil and water after a quench from two-phase coexistence into the lamellar phase. A comparison with some analytical results shows that the model provides an accurate description of the static and dynamic behavior of amphiphilic systems.