Drying Phenomena in Emulsions and Colloidal Suspensions

Abstract

Drying of complex fluids such as colloidal suspensions or emulsions has been used in practical production processes. However, fundamental aspects in drying kinetics of those fluids are still challenging topics. In this review, we introduce recent research topics on drying kinetics of silica colloidal particles and that of both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. Drying generally causes compression to dispersants in drying solutions. In colloidal suspensions, suspended particles are packed and particulate films spontaneously formed. Dispersed liquid droplets are also compressed in drying emulsions by evaporating continuous phase and deformed droplets affects drying kinetics of the continuous phase in turn. Drying kinetics of complex fluids are discussed using several examples.

graphical abstract