Limitation of the Young-Dupré Equation in the Analysis of Adhesion Forces Involving Surfactant Solutions

• Published in: The Journal of adhesion Vol. 74; no. 1-4; pp. 361 - 371
• Main Authors: Drelich, J., Beach, E., Gosiewska, A., Miller, J. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Taylor & Francis Group 01.12.2000; Taylor and Francis
• Subjects: Adhesion; Applied sciences; Atomic force microscopy; Contact angle; Ethoxylated alcohols; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Solution and gel properties; Work of adhesion; Young-Dupré equation; Atomic force microscopy; Fluorite; Non ionic surfactant; Particle suspension; Experimental study; Quartz; Ethylene oxide polymer; Low density ethylene polymer; Adhesive strength; Interparticle interaction; Micron size particle; Measurement method; Aqueous solution; Micellar solution
• ISSN: 0021-8464; 1563-518X; 1545-5823
• DOI: 10.1080/00218460008034536

The atomic force microscope was used to measure adhesion forces between polyethylene particles, serving as model oil droplets, and mineral substrates (fluorite and quartz) in aqueous solutions of ethoxylated alcohols. Also, contact angles were measured in the kerosene-ethoxylated alcohol solution-mineral systems. Correlations obtained between adhesion and surfactant concentration for the polyethylene-aqueous solution-quartz system differs significantly from those predicted by the Young-Dupré equation for the kerosene-aqueous solution-quartz system. Interactions, characteristic for such aqueous systems, which contribute to the pull-off forces measured by atomic force microscopy are not included in the Young-Dupré equation, and are primarily responsible for the inconsistency in the adhesion versus surfactant concentration relationship obtained from contact angle measurements.