Colloidal Particles at Liquid Interfaces

The understanding of how small solid particles operate at liquid interfaces is minimal. This book brings together the topics actively being investigated, with contributions from experts in the field. It will be of interest to researchers in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, pharmacy, food science and materials science.

Small solid particles adsorbed at liquid interfaces arise in many industrial products and process, such as anti-foam formulations, crude oil emulsions and flotation. They act in many ways like traditional surfactant molecules, but offer distinct advantages. However, the understanding of how these particles operate in such systems is minimal. This book brings together the diverse topics actively being investigated, with contributions from leading experts in the field. After an introduction to the basic concepts and principles, the book divides into two sections. The first deals with particles at planar liquid interfaces, with chapters of an experimental and theoretical nature. The second concentrates on the behaviour of particles at curved liquid interfaces, including particle-stabilized foams and emulsions and new materials derived from such systems. This collection will be of interest to academic researchers and graduate students in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, pharmacy, food science and materials science.