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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Accurate Determination of the Equilibrium Surface Tension Values with Area Perturbation Tests
Published on: August 30, 2019
The surface tension of a solid at the solid-vacuum interface, an evaluation from adsorption and wall potential
Tim S Jakubov1, David E Mainwaring
1School of Applied Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne 3001, Australia. timur.jakubov@rmit.edu.au
This study introduces a novel method to measure inaccessible surface tension and superficial tension of fluids. The approach utilizes interfacial and centrifugal forces within solid capillaries for accurate evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
Background:
- Experimentally measuring solid-vacuum interface surface tension and fluid superficial tension is challenging.
- Traditional methods struggle with these inaccessible interfacial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a new computational method for evaluating inaccessible surface and superficial tension.
- To provide an alternative to experimental limitations in surface tension measurements.
Main Methods:
- A novel approach considering fluid equilibrium in solid capillaries using interfacial and centrifugal forces.
- Simultaneous numerical solution of modified Gibbs and generalized Kelvin equations.
- Utilizing Lennard-Jones potentials for atom-atom interactions and hypergeometrical functions.
Main Results:
- The method was successfully applied to a model graphite-argon system at 90 K.
- Numerical calculations demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed approach.
- The accuracy of the method was analyzed.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a viable alternative for determining experimentally inaccessible surface and superficial tension.
- This approach enhances understanding of fluid-solid interfacial phenomena.
- Further analysis confirmed the accuracy and applicability of the technique.
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