title: Atomic force microscopy of emulsion droplets: probing droplet-droplet interactions.
abstract: A method has been developed for attaching oil (tetradecane) droplets to the end of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever and for immobilizing droplets on a glass substrate. This approach has permitted the monitoring of droplet-droplet interactions in aqueous solution as a function of interdroplet separation. Coating the droplet surfaces with added proteins or surfactants has allowed the production of model emulsions. We demonstrate that AFM measurements of droplet deformability are sensitive to interfacial rheology by modifying the interfacial film on a pair of droplets in situ. For droplets coated with the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate, screening of the double layer has been found to facilitate coalescence. Direct imaging of the droplets has revealed the presence of regularly spaced concentric rings on the droplet surfaces. Careful experimental studies suggest that these structures may be imaging artifacts and are not perturbations of the droplet surface determined by the composition of the interface.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich NR4 7UA, United Kingdom. patrick.gunning@bbsrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gunning
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mackie
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Wilde
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D017186:Titrimetry
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D004655:Emulsions; C024713:n-tetradecane