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Published on: September 9, 2022
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Estimation of solid-liquid interfacial tension using curved surface of a soft solid
Subrata Mondal1, Monmee Phukan1, Animangsu Ghatak2
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208016, India;
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to measure solid-liquid interfacial tension in amorphous materials like elastomers. This technique uses channel deflection to accurately determine interfacial tension, matching interfacial energy values.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Surface tension differs from surface energy in crystalline solids, but this distinction is unclear for amorphous materials.
- Amorphous materials like elastomers present unique challenges in characterizing surface properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a direct method for measuring solid-liquid interfacial tension in amorphous materials.
- To investigate the relationship between interfacial tension and interfacial energy in soft elastomers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the inner surface of micro-channels within a soft elastomeric film to sense interfacial tension.
- Measured wall deflection of the channels using an optical profilometer when a liquid was introduced.
- Analyzed the deflection data with the Föppl-von Kármán equation to estimate interfacial tension.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured solid-liquid interfacial tension in cross-linked poly(dimethylsiloxane) using the novel method.
- The estimated solid-liquid interfacial tension values closely corresponded to the solid-liquid interfacial energy.
- Demonstrated the method's effectiveness with various liquids.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a direct and effective method for measuring solid-liquid interfacial tension in amorphous materials.
- Confirms that for soft elastomers, interfacial tension is a reliable measure, similar to interfacial energy.
- This technique offers a new tool for understanding material interfaces.
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