Electrohydrodynamic behaviors of droplet under a uniform direct current electric field*

Abstract

The electrohydrodynamic behaviors and evolution processes of silicone oil droplet in castor oil under uniform direct current (DC) electric field are visually observed based on a high-speed microscopic platform. Subsequently, the effects of different working conditions, such as electric field strength, droplet size, etc., on droplet behaviors are roundly discussed. It can be found that there are four droplet behavior modes, including Taylor deformation, typical oblique rotation, periodic oscillation, and fracture, which change with the increase of electric field strength. It is also demonstrated that the degree of flat ellipse deformation gets larger under a stronger electric field. Moreover, both of the stronger electric field and smaller droplet size lead to an increase in the rotation angle of the droplet.