Dynamics of sheared droplets filled with non-Brownian particles

Abstract

The dynamics of single droplets containing non-Brownian particles are studied. The particle over droplet size ratio (r/R) is changed by using different particle sizes (r/R = 0.02–0.4). Additionally, the effect of particle concentration (5–20 vol%) is investigated. The dynamics of droplets with r/R = 0.02 show good agreement with the corresponding particle-free reference system which has a comparable viscosity ratio. Hence, this droplet phase can be considered as a homogenous medium characterized by its bulk viscosity which is governed by the particle concentration. However, droplets with r/R ≥ 0.1 show a more suppressed deformation and slower transient dynamics and, therefore, behave as a slightly more viscous medium than expected based on their bulk viscosity. These effects become more pronounced at higher particle concentrations and higher r/R. Moreover, local particle effects like asymmetric droplet shapes, oscillating droplet shapes, and tip streaming start to influence the droplet dynamics at particle concentrations around 15 vol%.