Ternary Free Energy Lattice Boltzmann Model with Tunable Surface Tensions and Contact Angles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel ternary free energy lattice Boltzmann model that allows independent tuning of surface tensions and contact angles, validated through various benchmark tests and extendable to multiple fluid components.

Contribution

The paper presents a new lattice Boltzmann model enabling analytical control over all fluid-fluid surface tensions and solid contact angles in ternary fluids.

Findings

Successfully validated surface tensions with benchmark tests.

Accurately predicted contact angles matching analytical solutions.

Demonstrated effective phase separation in ternary fluids.

Abstract

We present a new ternary free energy lattice Boltzmann model. The distinguishing feature of our model is that we are able to analytically derive and independently vary all fluid-fluid surface tensions and the solid surface contact angles. We carry out a number of benchmark tests: (i) double emulsions and liquid lenses to validate the surface tensions, (ii) ternary fluids in contact with a square well to compare the contact angles against analytical predictions, and (iii) ternary phase separation to verify that the multicomponent fluid dynamics is accurately captured. Additionally we also describe how the model here presented here can be extended to include an arbitrary number of fluid components.