Numerical Simulation of the Production of Core-Shell Microparticles

Abstract

Conventional methods that are commonly used for the preparation of microbubble delivery systems include sonication, high-shear emulsification, and membrane emulsification. However, these methods present significant disadvantages, namely, poor control over the particle size and distribution. To date, engineering core-shell microparticles remains a challenging task. Thus, there is a demand for new techniques that can enable control over the size, composition, stability, and uniformity of microparticles. Microfluidic techniques offer great advantages in the fabrication of microparticles over the conventional processes because they require mild and inert processing conditions. In this work, we present a numerical study based on the finite volume method, for the development of capsules by considering the rheological properties of three phases, air, a perfluorohexane (C6 F14) and a polymeric solution constituted of a solution of 0.25% w/v alginate. This methodology allows studying the stability and behavior of microparticles under different processing conditions.

Keywords

• numerical methods
• numerical simulation
• finite volume method
• free-surface
• core-shell particles