Spreading of nanofluids on solids

Suspensions of nanometre-sized particles (nanofluids) are used in a variety of technological contexts. For example, their spreading and adhesion behaviour on solid surfaces can yield materials with desirable structural and optical properties. Similarly, the spreading behaviour of nanofluids containi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 2003-05, Vol.423 (6936), p.156-159
Main Authors: Wasan, Darsh T, Nikolov, Alex D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesion
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Colloids
Exact sciences and technology
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Fluids
Gas-liquid interface and liquid-liquid interface
General and physical chemistry
Humanities and Social Sciences
letter
Liquid-solid interfaces
Liquids
Lubrication
Mathematical analysis
multidisciplinary
nanofluids
NANOPARTICLES
Nanotechnology
Oil recovery
Optical properties
Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
Polystyrene
Polystyrene resins
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Soil remediation
Soils
Solid surfaces
Solid-liquid interface
Spheres
Spreading
Surface physical chemistry
Surfactants
Suspending (hanging)
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Summary:Suspensions of nanometre-sized particles (nanofluids) are used in a variety of technological contexts. For example, their spreading and adhesion behaviour on solid surfaces can yield materials with desirable structural and optical properties. Similarly, the spreading behaviour of nanofluids containing surfactant micelles has implications for soil remediation, oily soil removal, lubrication and enhanced oil recovery. But the well-established concepts of spreading and adhesion of simple liquids do not apply to nanofluids. Theoretical investigations have suggested that a solid-like ordering of suspended spheres will occur in the confined three-phase contact region at the edge of the spreading fluid, becoming more disordered and fluid-like towards the bulk phase. Calculations have also suggested that the pressure arising from such colloidal ordering in the confined region will enhance the spreading behaviour of nanofluids. Here we use video microscopy to demonstrate both the two-dimensional crystal-like ordering of charged nanometre-sized polystyrene spheres in water, and the enhanced spreading dynamics of a micellar fluid, at the three-phase contact region. Our findings suggest a new mechanism for oily soil removal-detergency.
ISSN:0028-0836
1476-4687
DOI:10.1038/nature01591