Deformation of clean and surfactant-laden droplets in shear flow

In this work we study the deformation of clean and surfactant-laden droplets in laminar shearflow. The simulations are based on Direct Numerical Simulation of the Navier–Stokes equations coupled with a Phase Field Method to describe interface topology and surfactant concentration. Simulations are performed considering both 2D (circular droplet) and 3D (spherical droplet) domains. First, we focus on clean droplets and we characterize the droplet shape and deformation. This enables us to define the range of parameters in which theoretical models well predict the results obtained from 2D and 3D simulations. Then, surfactant-laden droplets are considered; the main factors leading to larger droplet deformation are carefully described and quantified. Results obtained indicate that the average surface tension reduction and the accumulation of surfactant at the tips of the deformed droplet have a dominant role, while tangential stresses at the interface (Marangoni stresses) have a limited effect on the overall droplet deformation. Finally, the distribution of surfactant over the droplet surface is examined in relation to surface deformation and shear stress distribution.