The interface between liquids provides a versatile platform for assembly of small particles for functional membranes, capsules, and other materials.  Here I will focus on of the role of the interfacial curvature when spherical particles bind.  Owing to the constant contact-angle condition at the particle's surface, binding to an anisotropically curved liquid interface causes deformation.  I will describe a theoretical calculation of the deformation of an initially cylindrical interface, from which we obtain the binding energy of one sphere and the interaction between two spheres.  We predict that spherical particles on constant-mean-curvature interfaces are driven toward  lower Gaussian  curvature, i.e.,  toward saddle-shaped regions.   Experimental measurements of curvature-induced capillary forces between macroscopic spheres will be described.  These results may help explain the stability of Pickering emulsions and point the way to new methods of directed particle assembly.  We acknowledge support from the NSF-funded UMass MRSEC on Polymers and NSF grant CBET-0967620.

Curvature-induced capillary forces on spherical particles

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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