Breakup dynamics of nanofluid droplets in T-typed microchannels

The breakup behavior and dynamics of nanofluid droplets in the T-shaped microchannel were investigated, focusing on the effect of nanoparticles on droplets breakup. It was found that the solid particle layer formed by the adsorption of nanoparticles at the droplet interface would greatly limit the droplet deformation. Three breakup flow patterns were observed: non-breakup, breakup with partial obstruction, and breakup with permanent obstruction. The droplet breakup could be divided into three stages. In the squeezing stage, the nanoparticles made the droplet breakup slow down, resulting in decrease of power-law exponent alpha. In the transition stage, the adsorption of nanoparticles changed the surface properties of droplets, reducing the slope k. In the rapid pinching stage, the decrease of nanoparticle concentration or the increase of the dispersed phase capillary number Cad contributed to a growth in power-law exponent beta. This study provides crucial data and technical support for applications of nanoparticle-stabilized emulsions.