Experimental investigation on spray, evaporation and combustion characteristics of ethanol-diesel, water-emulsified diesel and neat diesel fuels

•Micro-explosion in multi-component diesel sprays was investigated.•Micro-explosion of ethanol and water expanded spray volume significantly in 900 K evaporating spray.•Micro-explosion of W10 occurred later and led to faster downstream combustion rate than E10.•Blending ethanol and water in diesel reduced soot emissions by 21% and 39% respectively.