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Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.242, No.2, 279-283, 2001
Surface-tension-driven flow due to the adsorption and desorption of colloidal particles
When a dilute colloidal suspension of 50-mum polyamide particles is exposed to a deformable interface, spontaneous flow occurs. This flow is orderly, reproducible, and shows a proportional dependence on particle concentration. The same type of flow was also observed in a silicon oil suspension. Placing a glass plate on the interface dampens the flow, eventually extinguishing it completely. Upon removing the plate, the flow resumes. This leads to the belief that a new surface effect is being observed and may be important in a number of industrial applications where a free interface of a colloidal suspension is present.
Keywords:interfacial tension;colloidal particles;interfacial tension gradients;capillary charge;Marangoni flow