Recent advances in studies of bubble-solid interactions and wetting film stability. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krasowska, Marta; Malysa, Kazimierz; Beattie, David A.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in colloid & interface science. Volume 44(2019)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Wetting films stability -- Thin film drainage -- Bubble-solid interactions -- Surface forces -- Interferometry; Surface chemistry -- Periodicals; Colloids -- Periodicals; 541.33
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2019.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-0294

Abstract

Abstract: Research in the area of bubble-solid interactions is reviewed and highlighted, with a focus on studies of wetting film drainage using theoretical approaches and experimental (interferometric) approaches, and also studies probing the stability of wetting films, where the stability has been affected by physical and chemical modification/factors. Significant advances have been made in recent years in the area of interferometry and force measurement of bubble-surface encounters, with multiple light wavelengths used to improve accuracy and certainty with regard to thickness of wetting films, as well as high speed interferometry. These advances have been accompanied with improvements to models to describe nonequilibrium aspects of opposing interfaces. Experimental studies of the influence of air bubbles and surface roughness have highlighted the importance of dissolved gas and surface condition in determining whether wetting films are stable. Finally, many new studies on the influence of polymer layers on wetting film stability and rupture have been published, and these are described in relation to the increase in our understanding of the role of adsorbed polymers in altering surface chemistry and physics of the underlying substrate. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Wetting film stability is critically important in the industrial process of flotation. Bubble-solid interactions can be studied in detail, using a variety of techniques in physical chemistry. We review the latest research in the area focusing on three areas: study of collisions; film drainage; and film stability.