Temperature-dependence of the static contact angle: A transition state theory approach

The temperature dependence of the static contact angle could a priori be predicted by using surface tension partitioning. An original model based on the transition state theory is also introduced. This model considers thermocapillary fluctuations on the droplet surface near the triple line and the self-affine pinning of this triple line against a solid substrate modeled with a pseudo-periodic distribution of adsorption sites.

The temperature dependence of the static contact angle was studied for a representative range of liquids with different polarities and on a wide array of solid substrates for temperatures ranging from 25 to 240 °C. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was also used to quantify the surface roughness of the solid substrates.

Whereas the surface tension partitioning failed to bring consistent results above room temperature, the transition state model proved very useful, thereby opening a way to yield predictive contact angle values with temperature variations. The introduction of a topological dimension in the equations yields a unified model that covers normal wetting (perfectly bonded liquids on smooth surfaces) but also the onset of Cassie-Baxter and Wenzel states on real surfaces. Moreover, the model encompasses the transition to complete wetting.