Soft colloidal probes for AFM force measurements between water droplets in oil

Ivan Uriev Vakarelski, Erqiang Li, Sigurdur T Thoroddsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Here we introduce an extension of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) colloidal probe technique, as a simple and reliable experimental approach to measure the interaction forces between small water droplets (~80-160. μm) dispersed in oil. Small water droplets are formed by capillary breakup of a microscale water jet in air, which is forced out of a fine capillary nozzle, and deposited on a superhydrophobic substrate immersed in tetradecane oil medium. In these conditions the water droplets are very loosely attached to the superhydrophobic substrate and are easily picked up with a hydrophobic AFM cantilever to form a soft colloidal probe. Sample force measurements are conducted to demonstrate the capability of the technique.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)259-263
Number of pages5
JournalColloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Volume462
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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