Water droplets and air bubbles at magnesite nano-rough surfaces: Analysis of induction time, adhesion and detachment using a dynamic microbalance
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-15-2020
Department
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
Surface roughness affects the interactions of solids with droplets and bubbles. In this study, natural magnesite lumps were polished by a series of sandpapers and diamond to produce four magnesite specimens having 2 to 240 nm root-mean-square roughness. The dynamic measurements of attachment, spreading, adhesion, and separation with a high-sensitivity microelectronic mechanical balance revealed the effect of surface nano-scaled roughness on the induction time and forces of spreading, adhesion and separation for both water droplets and air bubbles. It was found that the increasing nano-scaled roughness enhances the spreading of water on hydrophilic magnesite and strengthens the water-magnesite adhesive contact. Nano-roughness also causes delays in attachment of air bubbles to magnesite surface, inhibits displacement of water by adhering air bubbles, and reduces the adhesive strength of air bubbles to the magnesite surface, factors that might slow down the flotation separation.
Publication Title
Minerals Engineering
Recommended Citation
Zhu, Z.,
Wang, D.,
Yang, B.,
Yin, W.,
&
Drelich, J.
(2020).
Water droplets and air bubbles at magnesite nano-rough surfaces: Analysis of induction time, adhesion and detachment using a dynamic microbalance.
Minerals Engineering,
155.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2020.106449
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/2099
Publisher's Statement
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2020.106449