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Updated: May 25, 2026

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
Wetting transitions and depinning of the triple line
E Bormashenko1, A Musin, G Whyman
1Department of Physics, Ariel University Center of Samaria, Post Office Box 3, Ariel 40700, Israel. edward@ariel.ac.il
Abstract:
Physical mechanisms of Cassie-Wenzel wetting transitions are discussed. The origin of the potential barrier separating the Cassie and Wenzel wetting states is clarified. It may contain contributions originating from the filling of hydrophobic pores and displacement of the triple line along the smooth portions of the relief. One- and two-dimensional scenarios of wetting transitions are considered. We demonstrate that the contribution to the potential barrier because of the displacement of the triple line is not negligible in both cases.
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