Regulating generation of multiple emulsion through double parallel-crank mechanism

Abstract

Abstract A method was proposed for preparing multiple emulsions based on a double parallel-crank mechanism. The dispersed phase flows into the glass capillary, and the glass capillary was driven to make a circular motion via connecting the crank structure. Then, the external phase shears the dispersed phase through the double parallel-crank mechanism to prepare water in oil (W/O) droplets, and the process of generation of droplets was simulated by CFD. The effects of rotating speed, capillary diameter, external flow rate, and external viscosity on droplet formation were investigated. The size and generation frequency of the droplets was controlled by the rotational speed. More importantly, Single or multicore droplets were generated by the rotation droplet generator, and the effects of rotational speed on the number of cores and droplet size were investigated. Finally, the multi-component microgels were produced by the pre-crosslinking method. This study provides a rotation droplet generation system that has the ability to generate various droplets, expanding the practicability and versatility of the rotation droplet generator, and providing a new platform for multiple emulsion preparations.