A molecular dynamics study on surface tension of microbubbles

This work is the first molecular dynamics (MD) study on the surface tension of bubbles and their related characteristics. Compared to thin films or droplets, bubbles have not been investigated rising the MD simulation method for their properties owing to their inherent difficulties. To confirm their existances. a stable bubble regime with respect to simulation domain sizes is defined for the Lennard-Jones molecules. As well as the local densities, normal and tangential pressure components are calculated and used for the estimation of bubble surface: tensions. While the surface tension of droplets varies as predicted by Tolman's equation, that of bubble:; changes slightly and is greater than the value for the planar interface by 15% or less. In addition, effects of solute molecules on the surface tension of bubbles: in a binary molecule system are investigated for the cases of Il-ss and more attractive interactions between solute and solvent molecules. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.