Du Noüy ring method explained

In surface science, the du Noüy ring method is a technique for measuring the surface tension of a liquid. The method involves slowly lifting a ring, often made of platinum, from the surface of a liquid. The force,, required to raise the ring from the liquid's surface is measured and related to the liquid's surface tension :

F = w _{ring} + 2 \pi ⋅ (r _{i} + r _{a)} ⋅ \gamma,

where is the radius of the inner ring of the liquid film pulled, and is the radius of the outer ring of the liquid film.^[1] is the weight of the ring minus the buoyant force due to the part of the ring below the liquid surface.^[2]

When the ring's thickness is much smaller than its diameter, this equation can be simplified to

F = w _{ring} + 4 \pi R \gamma,

where is the average of the inner and outer radius of the ring, i.e.

(r _{i} + r _{a)/2.} ^[3]

This technique was proposed by the French physicist Pierre Lecomte du Noüy (1883–1947) in a paper published in 1925.^[4]

The measurement is performed with a force tensiometer, which typically uses an electrobalance to measure the excess force caused by the liquid being pulled up and automatically calculates and displays the surface tension corresponding to the force. Earlier, torsion wire balances were commonly used.

The maximum force is used for the calculations, and empirically determined correction factors are required to remove the effect caused by the finite diameter of the ring:

F = w _{ring} + 4 \pi R \gamma f,

with being the correction factor.

The most common correction factors include those by Zuidema and Waters (for liquids with low interfacial tension), Huh and Mason (which covers a wider range than Zuidema–Waters), and Harkins and Jordan (more precise than Huh–Mason, while still covering the most widely used liquids).^[5]

The surface tension and correction factors are expressed by

\gamma = (F)/(4 \pi R) f,

where is surface tension, is the average diameter of the ring, and is correction factor.

Zuidema and Waters^[2]

(f - a) ^{2} = (4 b)/(\pi ^{2}) (1)/(R ^{2}) (\gamma _{measured})/(\rho _{lower} - \rho _{upper}) + C, where

= maximum pull of rings [<nowiki/>[[Dyne|dyn]]/cm],

= density of the lower and upper phases,

C = 0 . 04534 - 1 . 679 (r)/(R) ,

,

[s²⋅cm⁻¹],

= Du Noüy wire radius,

= Du Noüy ring radius.

Huh & Mason^{[6] [7]} The correction factor is described as a function of

\tfrac{R}{r} and \tfrac{R ^{3}{V}.} See the references.

Harkins and Jordan^{[8] [9]} The correction factor is tabulated as a function of

R/r and R ^{3/V} .

See also

• Sessile drop technique
• Wilhelmy plate

External links

• Video showing a classical torsion wire du Noüy tensiometer
• Picture of a classical torsion wire du Noüy tensiometer (National Institutes of Health)

Notes and References

1. Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces . limited . Butt, Hans-Jürgen . Graf, Karlheinz . Kappl, Michael . 2003 . 14–15.
2. Zuidema . H. . Waters . George . 1941-05-01 . Ring Method for the Determination of Interfacial Tension . Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Analytical Edition . 13 . 5 . 312–313 . 10.1021/i560093a009 . 0096-4484.
3. Web site: Total Weight of Ring using Ring-Detachment Method Calculator Calculate Total Weight of Ring using Ring-Detachment Method . 2024-05-29 . www.calculatoratoz.com . en.
4. du Noüy, Pierre Lecomte . An Interfacial Tensiometer for Universal Use . The Journal of General Physiology. 1925 . 7 . 625 - 633 . 10.1085/jgp.7.5.625 . 5. 2140742 . 19872165.
5. Book: Udeagbara, Stephen Gekwu . Effect of Temperature and Impurities on Surface Tension of Crude Oil . 2010-07-30 . Universal-Publishers . 9781599423555 . en.
6. Huh. C.. Mason. S. G.. 1975-07-01. A rigorous theory of ring tensiometry. Colloid and Polymer Science. en. 253. 7. 566–580. 10.1007/BF01753960. 94325517 . 1435-1536.
7. Huh. C.. Mason. S. G.. 1977-05-01. A rigorous theory of ring tensiometry: Addendum on the wall effect. Colloid and Polymer Science. en. 255. 5. 460–467. 10.1007/BF01536462. 97555566 . 1435-1536.
8. Harkins. William D.. Jordan. Hubert F.. A Method for the Determination of Surface and Interfacial Tension from the Maximum Pull on a Ring . 1930-05-01. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 52. 5. 1751–1772. 10.1021/ja01368a004. 0002-7863.
9. Harkins. William D.. Jordan. Hubert F.. Surface Tension by the Ring Method . 1930-07-18. Science. en. 72. 1855. 73–75. 10.1126/science.72.1855.73. 0036-8075. 17819453.