Intermolecular and Surface Interactions in Engineering Processes

Abstract

Interactions involving chemical reagents, solid particles, gas bubbles, liquid droplets, and solid surfaces in complex fluids play a vital role in many engineering processes, such as froth flotation, emulsion and foam formation, adsorption, and fouling and anti-fouling phenomena. These interactions at the molecular, nano-, and micro scale significantly influence and determine the macroscopic performance and efficiency of related engineering processes. Understanding the intermolecular and surface interactions in engineering processes is of both fundamental and practical importance, which not only improves production technologies, but also provides valuable insights into the development of new materials. In this review, the typical intermolecular and surface interactions involved in various engineering processes, including Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) interactions (i.e., van der Waals and electrical double-layer interactions) and non-DLVO interactions, such as steric and hydrophobic interactions, are first introduced. Nanomechanical techniques such as atomic force microscopy and surface forces apparatus for quantifying the interaction forces of molecules and surfaces in complex fluids are briefly introduced. Our recent progress on characterizing the intermolecular and surface interactions in several engineering systems are reviewed, including mineral flotation, petroleum engineering, wastewater treatment, and energy storage materials. The correlation of these fundamental interaction mechanisms with practical applications in resolving engineering challenges and the perspectives of the research field have also been discussed.