Explanation on surface tension. How is surface tension measured? Eg. Force tensiometri, du nuoy ring.

Surface tension is a phenomenon where the molecules in the liquid are subject to attractive forces from
adjacent molecules. If the liquid is in bulk, the attraction between molecules are subjected to be equal in
all direction. At the surface, the net attractive forces is towards the bulk of the liquid. This phenomenon
will reducing the number of molecules in the surface and increases the intermolecular distance. This will
give the different characteristics of surface from the bulk and gives rise to surface tension and surface
free energy.

The measurement of surface tension.

There are many kind of methods available for the measurement of surface tension and they are :

1. Force tensiometer- The measurement of surface and interfacial tension as performed by a

sigma force tensiometer is based on force measurements of the interaction of a probe with the
surface of interface of two liquids. This method can be divided into two and they are the Du
Nouy ring method and the Wilhelmy Plate method.

a) Du Nouy ring method : this method measures the force required to detach a platinum ring
from a surface or an interface. The detachment force is equal to the surface tension multiplied
by the perimeter of liquid detached.
The equation can be written as : F = 2 π( R1 + R2)γ
Where, F is the detachment force and R1 and R2 are the inner and outer radii of the ring.
A zero contact angle of the liquid on the ring must be assured or the equation will not hold.
Careful cleaning and flaming of the platinum loop and also by the use of silicone-treated ring for
oils are the priorities in order to achieve the zero contact angle of the liquid. The ring must also
lie horizontally in the surface.

b) Wilhelmy plate method : this method utilizes the interaction of a platinum plate with surface
being tested. The apparatus used in this method consists of a thin mica, glass or platinum plate
attached to a suitable balance. When used as a detachment method, the plate is immersed in
the liquid, and the liquid container is gradually lowered. The reading on the balance immediately
prior to detachment is noted. The detachment force is equal to the surface tension multiplied by
the perimeter of the surface detached.
The equation : (WL – W)g= 2(L+T)γ.
WL is the reading on the balance prior to detachment ,W is the weight of the plate in air and L
and T are the length and thickness of the plate, respectively. Immersion of the plate into the
lower of two liquids in a container and subsequent detachment will give the interfacial tension.
The method requires the contact angle that the liquid makes with the plate to be zero. This can
be achieved by scrupulous cleaning and by roughening the surface of the plate. In addition, it
must be ensured that the edge of the plate lies in horizontal plane.
2. Drop weight and drop volume methods. - If the volume or weight of a drop as it is detached
from a tip of known radius is determined, the surface or interfacial tension can be calculated
from : γ=Ømg = ØVρg
2πr 2πr
Where m is the mass of the drop, V is the volume of the drop, ρ is the density of a liquid, r is the
radius of the tip, g is the acceleration due to gravity Ø is a correction factor. This method is
easily adapted for both surface and interfacial tensions and is therefore popular. The correction
factors is required as not all the drop leaves the tip of the detachment and it is depend on the
radius of the tip and the drop volume. And it is important that the tip is completely wetted by
the liquid. The drop should also be formed slowly, especially in the stage immediately preceding
detachment.

3. Capillary rise method - this method is little used in pharmaceutical research,and it is

considered to be the most accurate way of measuring surface tension and has been used to
establish values for many liquids. As the surface of the liquid is undisturbed during the
measurement, time effects can be followed. As contact angles are difficult to reproduce ,
experiments are always run at θ = 0 (cos θ=1), achieved by careful cleaning. The capillaries used
must be circular in cross-section and of uniform bore. The cleanliness at all stages of the
experiment is vital and adequate temperature control must be ensured.