Influence of surface tension in the surfactant-driven fracture of closely-packed particulate monolayers.

TitleInfluence of surface tension in the surfactant-driven fracture of closely-packed particulate monolayers.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsC Peco, W Chen, Y Liu, MM Bandi, JE Dolbow, and E Fried
JournalSoft matter
Volume13
Issue35
Start Page5832
Pagination5832 - 5841
Date Published09/2017
Abstract

A phase-field model is used to capture the surfactant-driven formation of fracture patterns in particulate monolayers. The model is intended for the regime of closely-packed systems in which the mechanical response of the monolayer can be approximated as that of a linearly elastic solid. The model approximates the loss in tensile strength of the monolayer with increasing surfactant concentration through the evolution of a damage field. Initial-boundary value problems are constructed and spatially discretized with finite element approximations to the displacement and surfactant damage fields. A comparison between model-based simulations and existing experimental observations indicates a qualitative match in both the fracture patterns and temporal scaling of the fracture process. The importance of surface tension differences is quantified by means of a dimensionless parameter, revealing thresholds that separate different regimes of fracture. These findings are supported by newly performed experiments that validate the model and demonstrate the strong sensitivity of the fracture pattern to differences in surface tension.

DOI10.1039/c7sm01245d
Short TitleSoft matter