In dilatational interfacial rheology, the size of the interface is changing over time. The change in the surface stress or surface tension of the interface is being measured during this deformation. Based on the response, interfacial viscoelasticity is calculated according to well established theories:
where
* |E| is the complex surface dilatational modulus
* γ is the surface tension or interfacial tension of the interface
* A is the interfacial area
* δ is the phase angle difference between the surface tension and area
* E’<nowiki/>' is the elastic (storage) modulus
* E’ is the viscous (loss) modulus
Most commonly, the measurement of dilational interfacial rheology is conducted with an optical tensiometer combined to a pulsating drop module. A pendant droplet with surface active molecules in it is formed and pulsated sinusoidally. The changes in the interfacial area causes changes in the molecular interactions which then changes the surface tension. Typical measurements include performing a frequency sweep for the solution to study the kinetics of the surfactant.
In another measurement method suitable especially for insoluble surfactants, a Langmuir trough is used in an oscillating barrier mode. In this case, two barriers that limit the interfacial area are being oscillated sinusoidally and the change in surface tension measured.