Atomic-like motion of coverslips at the air-water interface

Publication date: September 2019Source: Colloid and Interface Science Communications, Volume 32Author(s): Dong Liu, Awais Mahmood, Ding Weng, Jiadao WangAbstractAtomic-like motion of coverslips (their surfaces drip with 70 vol% aqueous ethanol) is that the coverslips attract each other over a long distance, but repel when they are almost in contact. When they are placed at a considerable distance, the two coverslips get attracted towards each other. However, when the separating distance between them is reduced to a near contact point, they start to repel. According to our research, there are mainly two opposite forces acting on the coverslips. The attraction is mainly due to the lateral capillary force, while the repulsion is mainly due to the Marangoni force. In our study, we analyze interfacial forces of the coverslips, and experimentally and analytically demonstrate that atomic-like motion of coverslips is mainly due to the Marangoni force and the lateral capillary force.Graphical abstract
Source: Colloids and Interface Science Communications - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research