Investigation of the Water Flow Into a Mesoporous Matrix From Hydrophobized Silica Gel

Abstract

In this work a generalized hydrodynamic theory for the water flow into a mesoporous matrix from hydrophobized silica gel is suggested. Although we examine a fluid dynamics problem, i.e., the motion of the water-gas-solid contact line, motivation for such research derives from the investigation of a novel principle of mechanical energy dissipation, called colloidal damper. Similar to hydraulic damper, this absorber has a cylinder-piston structure, but oil is replaced by a colloid consisted of a mesoporous matrix and a lyophobic liquid. Here, the mesoporous matrix is from silica gel modified by linear chains of alkyldimethylchlorosilanes and water is the associated lyophobic liquid. Mainly, the colloidal damper energy loss can be explained by the dynamic contact angle hysteresis in advancing (liquid displaces gas) and receding (gas displaces liquid); such hysteresis occurs due to the geometrical and chemical heterogeneities of the solid surface. Measuring technique of the hysteresis loop is described. From experimental data one calculates the dissipated energy, damper efficiency and the damping coefficient versus the length of the grafted molecule on the silica gel surface. Experimental results are justified by the flow analysis. Generalized hydrodynamic theory means here that the basic structure of Navier-Stokes equations is kept, but in order to include the relation between macroscopic flow and molecular interactions, slip is allowed on the solid wall. Nano-pillar architecture of the silica gel hydrophobic coating is described. During adsorption, water penetrates the pore space by maintaining contact with the top of the coating molecules (region of -CH3 groups); after that, water is forced into and partially or totally fills the space between molecules (region of -CH2 groups); in such circumstances, at the release of the external pressure, desorption occurs. Mechanism of energy dissipation is discussed. Results obtained are useful for the appropriate design of the hydrophobic coating of a mesoporous matrix which is destined to colloidal damper use.