The structure recovery capacity of highly concentrated emulsions under shear flow via studying their rheopexy

ABSTRACT

An investigation was performed into the structure recovery of highly concentrated water-in-oil emulsions (HCEs) under shear flow via studying their rheopexy. Experiments with the shear rate sweep in the up and down modes demonstrate that HCE has rheopexy. Restoration of the initial structure after cessation of shearing needs a period of time. The recovery time and ratio depend on the shear rate and the droplet size of the dispersed phase. A high shear rate results in a high probability of structure break of HCE. Thus, it is difficult to return to its initial structure. The structure of HCE that underwent shearing is closer to its original situation when the droplet size is small.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Highly concentrated emulsions
• rheopexy
• shear rate
• viscosity

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51604155) for financial support.