JOURNAL ARTICLE

Isotropic ↔ anisotropic surface geometry transitions induced by adsorbed surfactants at water/vapor interfaces.

  • Published In: Journal of Chemical Physics, 2024, v. 161, n. 18. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Kumar, Nitesh; Bilsky, Joshua; Clark, Aurora E. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates how adsorbed surfactants, specifically tributyl phosphate (TBP) and related alkyl phosphate surfactants, influence the geometric properties of the water/vapor interface. It reveals that increasing TBP surface density induces an isotropic-to-anisotropic transition in surface curvature, characterized by the formation of pronounced ridge-like features with differing principal curvatures (κ₁ and κ₂). Conversely, decreasing the alkyl chain length of the surfactants leads to an anisotropic-to-isotropic transition, where smaller surfactants enhance curvature anisotropy and stabilize surface waves. These findings highlight complexities in applying capillary wave theory to surfactant-laden interfaces and suggest that surfactant molecular structure can be used to tailor interfacial geometric characteristics.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Chemical Physics. 2024/11, Vol. 161, Issue 18, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0021-9606
  • DOI:10.1063/5.0237563
  • Accession Number:180895989
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