Dr Radomir Slavchov
BSc, MSc, PhD
Research Overview
colloids and interfaces, surfactants, electrochemistry, wetting, liquid films, mixture thermodynamics, carbon dioxide, multiphase flow
(i) Adsorption of surfactants and electrolytes
Our group is developing an adsorption database and models that allow us to predict the distribution of surfactants between several interfaces and phases, including micelles in the aqueous phase, associates in the oil phase etc. This is a thermodynamical equation-of-state approach to questions like competitive adsorption, surfactant depletion, surfactant synergism and antagonism, and how the medium conditions (salt, temperature) alter them. The tools we develop can assist anyone who is involved in formulation of mixtures of surface-active species. We also model adsorption kinetics.
(ii) Surface electric phenomena
We study the charging and polarization of surfaces, and the various surface potentials; how are they affecting the surface forces; how to measure them; how to use the measurements to characterize the surface. We develop models that allow us to predict the effect of the salt, the solvent and the surfactants on the surface electric properties.
(iii) Capillary shapes, capillary flows, wetting
We are interested in relating the properties of an interface, such as its composition (see i), charge, dipole moment (see ii) to a range of capillary phenomena - wetting, film stability, emulsion and foam stability, Marangoni flows.
(iv) Chemical physics of mixtures, fuel chemistry
We also study how mixtures evaporate, how the mixture components interact, and how mixtures phase-separate and degrade; how are the electric properties of mixtures related to their composition and to their behaviour.
(v) Carbon dioxide and other quadrupolar solvents
We are particularly fascinated by non-polar but quadrupolar liquids, such as benzene and liquid carbon dioxide, and by their surfaces. We study the chemical reactions that take place in a typical CO2 stream encountered in industry.