Abstract Interactions involving chemical reagents, solid particles, gas bubbles, liquid droplets, and solid surfaces in complex fluids play a vital role in many engineering processes, such as froth flotation, emulsion and foam formation, adsorption, fouling, and anti-fouling phenomena. These interactions at the molecular, nano-, and micro scale significantly influence and determine the macroscopic performance and efficiency of related engineering processes. Understanding the intermolecular and surface interactions in engineering processes is of both fundamental and practical importance, which not only improves production technologies, but also provides valuable insights into the development of new materials. In this review, the typical intermolecular and surface interactions involved in various engineering processes, including Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) interactions (i.e., van der Waals and electrical double-layer interactions) and non-DLVO interactions, such as steric and hydrophobic interactions, are first introduced. Nanomechanical techniques such as atomic force microscopy and surface forces apparatus for quantifying the interaction forces of molecules and surfaces in complex fluids are briefly introduced. Our recent progress on characterizing the intermolecular and surface interactions in several engineering systems are reviewed, including mineral flotation, petroleum engineering, wastewater treatment, and energy storage materials. The correlation of these fundamental interaction mechanisms with practical applications in resolving engineering challenges and the perspectives of the research field have also been discussed.

中文翻译：

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工程过程中的分子间和表面相互作用

摘要 复杂流体中化学试剂、固体颗粒、气泡、液滴和固体表面的相互作用在许多工程过程中起着至关重要的作用，如泡沫浮选、乳液和泡沫形成、吸附、结垢和防垢现象。这些分子、纳米和微观尺度的相互作用显着影响并决定了相关工程过程的宏观性能和效率。了解工程过程中的分子间和表面相互作用具有基础性和实际意义，不仅可以改进生产技术，还可以为新材料的开发提供宝贵的见解。在这篇综述中，各种工程过程中涉及的典型分子间和表面相互作用，首先介绍了包括 Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) 相互作用（即范德华和双电层相互作用）和非 DLVO 相互作用，例如空间和疏水相互作用。简要介绍了用于量化复杂流体中分子和表面相互作用力的纳米力学技术，如原子力显微镜和表面力装置。综述了我们在几个工程系统中表征分子间和表面相互作用的最新进展，包括矿物浮选、石油工程、废水处理和储能材料。还讨论了这些基本相互作用机制与解决工程挑战的实际应用的相关性以及研究领域的前景。