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Robust generation of monodisperse droplets using a microfluidic step emulsification device with triangular nozzle |
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| Authors: | Yue Lu Xuyun Liu Xiangdong Liu Yongping Chen |
| Affiliation: | 1. Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China Contribution: Investigation (lead), Visualization (lead), Writing - original draft (lead);2. College of Electrical, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China Contribution: Investigation (supporting);3. College of Electrical, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China;4. Key Laboratory of Energy Thermal Conversion and Control of Ministry of Education, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China |
| Abstract: | In this work, the droplet generation process in the microfluidic step emulsification chip with a triangular nozzle (SE-T) was investigated in the combination of visualization experiment and numerical simulation, through a comparison with a rectangular nozzle (SE-R). The flow regimes, including dripping, dripping-jetting transition, and jetting, were observed in the SE-T, among which the dripping is the preferred flow regime to generate monodispersed droplet with corresponding C.V. (coefficient of variation) of the droplet size smaller than 1.9%. Compared with the SE-R, the larger space and expanding structure of the triangular nozzle in the SE-T enhance the wall wetting effects, which induces earlier appearance and accelerates shrinking of the neck. As a result, the SE-T exhibits more robust droplet performance under the dripping regime, which produces the droplets with nearly unchanged size and higher monodispersity, especially little related to the variations of surfactant concentrations and dispersed phase flow rates. |
| Keywords: | droplet microfluidics robust performance step emulsification triangular nozzle |