Hierarchical bubble size distributions in coarsening wet liquid foams

Coarsening of two-phase systems is crucial for the stability of dense particle packings such as alloys, foams, emulsions, or supersaturated solutions. Mean field theories predict an asymptotic scaling state with a broad particle size distribution. Aqueous foams are good model systems for investigations of coarsening-induced structures, because the continuous liquid as well as the dispersed gas phases are uniform and isotropic. We present coarsening experiments on wet foams, with liquid fractions up to their unjamming point and beyond, that are performed under microgravity to avoid gravitational drainage. As time elapses, a self-similar regime is reached where the normalized bubble size distribution is invariant. Unexpectedly, the distribution features an excess of small roaming bubbles, mobile within the network of jammed larger bubbles. These roaming bubbles are reminiscent of rattlers in granular materials (grains not subjected to contact forces). We identify a critical liquid fraction ofi*, above which the bubble assembly unjams and the two bubble populations merge into a single narrow distribution of bubbly liquids. Unexpectedly, ofi* is larger than the random close packing fraction of the foam Orcp. This is because, between Orcp and ofi*, the large bubbles remain connected dueto a weak adhesion between bubbles. We present models that identify the physical mechanisms explaining our observations. We propose a new comprehensive view of the coarsening phenomenon in wet foams. Our results should be applicable to other phase-separating systems and they may also help to control the elaboration of solid foams with hierarchical structures.

Automated summary

Coarsening is crucial for the stability of dense particle packings and this study presents coarsening experiments on wet foams. The experiments reveal a self-similar regime with an invariant bubble size distribution, and an unexpected excess of small roaming bubbles. A critical liquid fraction above which the bubble assembly unjams and the two bubble populations merge into a single narrow distribution of bubbly liquids is identified. The study proposes a new comprehensive view of the coarsening phenomenon in wet foams.