Exploring the influence of surface roughness on the interface phenomenon between an air bubble and a glass bead: An experimental and theoretical investigation

The effect of surface roughness on the detachment between the bubbles and the glass beads (soda-lime) was comprehensively investigated. Glass beads with dimensions of −1.20 + 1.12 mm were acid etched to achieve varying degrees of surface roughness, followed by silanation reactions conducted for different immersion times. The characterization of surface roughness was conducted using a ContourGT-K 3D optical microscope. Measurements of receding contact angle, induction time and detachment force were conducted to assess the influence of surface roughness on bubble and glass bead attachment/detachment. It is observed that the etching surface of glass beads with uniform protrusions and depressions, the hydrophobic glass beads exhibited shorter induction time, larger contact angle and higher critical detachment force. However, the stability of aggregates of bubbles and hydrophilic glass beads was reduced, making them prone to detachment. Moreover, larger protrusions and depressions on hydrophobic glass bead surfaces with increasing etching time, resulted in an increase in induction time, a decrease in receding contact angle and critical detachment force. The stability of bubbles and hydrophilic glass bead aggregates remained unchanged.