The Prediction of Intrinsic Wettability without Young's Equation

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method to predict intrinsic wettability and contact angles without relying on Young's equation, using idealized surface models to analyze interparticle forces.

Contribution

It introduces a Young's-equation-free approach utilizing smooth and lattice surface models to understand wettability based on microscopic interparticle actions.

Findings

Smooth surface model isolates intrinsic wettability factors.

Lattice structure reveals effects of surface complexity.

Potential for predicting contact angles without Young's equation.

Abstract

The current work employed absolutely smooth surface and lattice structure surface to distinguish the relationship between intrinsic wettability of different combinations of liquid and solid particles and the microscopic interparticle actions. The adopting of absolute smooth surface facilitates the eliminating of any specific surface characteristics and consequently give an insight into the determination of intrinsic wettability on the foundation of the express of competition between liquid-liquid cohesion force and liquid-solid adhesion force. Further the introduction of lattice structure reveals the possibility of involving various interfacial properties, and indicate that the complex characteristics of realistic surfaces (either topology or chemical composition) may introduce some kind of deviation to the linear relationship between solid-fluid energy ratio and contact angle. The prediction potential of the method introduced in present work need more confirmation, but it does provide a possible Young's-equation-free solution to predict contact angle.