Experimental study and multistage design of multiphase droplets splitting based on T-junction microchannels

Abstract

The splitting of multiphase droplets in T-junction microchannels is investigated in this work. Based on the single-phase droplet splitting regime and mechanism, the splitting of multiphase droplets is visualized and further analyzed. Focusing on the influence of the interfacial tension between the phases of multiphase droplets on the splitting behavior of multiphase droplets, it is found that the larger the interfacial tension between the two phases, the stronger the hindering effect of droplet fragmentation, and the more difficult the droplet is to break up. Meanwhile, the strengthening effect of baffle structure at the bottom of the T-junction on the multiphase droplet splitting process is evaluated, where the introduction of the baffle greatly reduces the possibility of no breakup. In addition, multistage splitting T-junction microchannel systems are designed and established for the scale-up preparation of multiphase droplets. This study is of great significance for the in-depth understanding of the splitting process of multiphase droplets. The “self-similar” designs of multistage splitting microchannel from droplet splitting phase diagram provide solutions for the large-scale and cross-scale preparation of multiphase droplets in various fields.