Modeling droplet aggregation and percolation clustering in emulsions

Abstract

In this study, a digital simulation procedure for studying droplet aggregation in water-in-oil emulsions by Langevin dynamics is developed. The emulsion stability depends on the structure of droplet aggregates: globular aggregates or percolation cluster is formed. The evolution with time of aggregates with different number of droplets is monitored. Simulations demonstrate that emulsions with aqueous phase fraction <0.12 do not pass through a percolation threshold. In concentration range 0.12–0.30 the time necessary for the formation of the percolation cluster is less than 8.5 s. In emulsions with aqueous phase fractions above 0.3 almost all droplets are combined into percolation clusters within a few fractions of a second. This simulation procedure can be used to predict stability of emulsions with different compositions. Keywords: Emulsion, Aggregation, Percolation, Langevin dynamics