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Jordi Faraudo, Fernando Bresme

Interplay between thermodynamics and geometry in the adsorption of non-spherical nanoparticles at liquid/liquid interfaces

The adsorption of non-spherical nanoparticles at liquid/liquid interfaces is considered in the framework of the classical theory of capillarity. Spheroidal nanoparticles with aspect ratio ? larger than a critical value ?_c cannot be adsorbed at a liquid/liquid interface. The critical shape ?_c (depending on the liquid-liquid surface tension and liquid-particle-liquid line tension) is computed explicitly using a simple expression for the Free Energy. The results show that particles can be surface active, that is, can be adsorbed at the interface according to its shape. In addition, the dependence of the line tension with the size of the liquid-particle-liquid contact line is also discussed.

Journal of Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Walter de Gruyter

Print ISSN: 0340-0204
Volume: 29, 12/2004
Pages: 397 - 404

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