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Wetting Behavior of a Three-Phase System in Contact with a Surface
Biswaroop Mukherjee1, Buddhapriya Chakrabarti1
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RH, U.K.
Macromolecules
|May 31, 2022
Summary
We explored wetting thermodynamics in three-phase systems using Cahn-Landau-de Gennes theory. A novel non-monotonic surface tension dependence was observed, linked to complete-to-partial wetting transitions.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Surface Science
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Wetting phenomena in binary mixtures are well-described by Cahn-Landau-de Gennes theory.
- Understanding wetting in complex multi-phase systems remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend Cahn-Landau-de Gennes mean field theory to three-phase systems.
- To investigate wetting thermodynamics at surfaces preferring one phase.
- To analyze the impact of phase stability on surface tension and wetting transitions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a model free-energy with three minima to represent the system.
- Analyzed the bulk phase diagram and surface tension dependence on phase stability.
- Investigated complete to partial wetting transitions.
Main Results:
- A triple point and bifurcation were observed in the bulk phase diagram as central minimum stability increased.
- A novel non-monotonic dependence of surface tension on central minimum stability was identified.
- Complete wetting phase behavior was mapped as a function of phase stability and surface interaction parameters near the bulk triple point.
Conclusions:
- The model free-energy qualitatively resembles renormalized free energy in polymer-liquid crystal mixtures.
- The wetting thermodynamics of an explicit polymer-liquid crystal mixture aligns with the model's predictions.
- The study reveals a new wetting transition mechanism driven by phase stability.
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