title: Dynamics of particle-covered droplets in shear flow: unusual breakup and deformation hysteresis.
abstract: The dynamics of droplets exhibiting an elastic interface generated by a percolated network of particle aggregates at the interface is microscopically investigated in a counter rotating shear flow device. The droplet deformation is significantly suppressed by interfacially localized nanoparticles, even at high Ca numbers, resulting in suspension-like behavior at high particle coverage. When the Ca number surpasses a critical value, the particle network locally breaks up, resulting in localized deformability of the interface and breakup dynamics characterized by extremely irregular shapes. Finally, the destruction of the interfacial network results in hysteresis effects in the droplet deformation.
authors.affiliation: Soft Matter Rheology and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, P. B. 2424, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Paula.Moldenaers@cit.kuleuven.be and College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.affiliation: College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering of China, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
authors.forename: Guangxian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Soft Matter Rheology and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, P. B. 2424, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Paula.Moldenaers@cit.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moldenaers
authors.affiliation: Soft Matter Rheology and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, P. B. 2424, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Paula.Moldenaers@cit.kuleuven.be and Polymer Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, TU Eindhoven, P. B. 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardinaels