Effects of viscosity, interfacial tension, and flow geometry on droplet formation in a microfluidic T-junction

摘要: Precise control of monodisperse micron-sized liquid droplet emulsions produced in a microfluidic T-junction has far reaching implications several mechanical, biomedical, and optical applications. This paper is an experimental study device, allowing large ranges interfacial tension between the two immiscible fluids, viscosity ratios, channel geometries, their impact on formation. Classification formation regimes, (DTJ), (DC), parallel flow (PF), further clarified based experiments this literature. Our show that volume decreases production frequency increases as aspect ratio (h/w c) increased, consistent with conservation laws. In addition, transition rate (Q d/Q for given capillary number decreasing both DTJ–DC DC–PF transitions, subscripts d c referring to dispersed continuous phases. Larger ratios (μ d/μ values also tend decrease number. The ratio, tension, geometry have regions, new parameter, dimensionless (Ω), used characterize these locations. Using we develop empirical correlations predicting regions squeezing dripping regimes. These predict at which will occur less than 8.5 % error regime 2.8 % regime.