Evolution of a colloidal soap-froth structure

We report the evolution of a quasi-two-dimensional cellular structure. This soap-froth-like structure is formed by 2.24 mu m colloidal particles trapp ed at the air:water interface. The froth evolves mainly through one of the modes of the T2 mechanism, the inverse mitosis process, and in minor propor tion through the Tl or side switching mechanism. In addition, particle rear rangements can also be observed during the evolution. Eventually, the collo idal soap-froth evolves towards the formation of colloidal clusters, which detach from the edges of the colloidal froth. The cell side distribution is similar to distributions from other froth-forming systems and follows the Aboav-Weaire law. Other statistical comparisons are also made with other fr oth-forming systems and, in general, we found similar behaviour. (C) 2000 E lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.