A density functional theory approach to interpret elastowetting of hydrogels

TL;DR

This paper uses density functional theory to analyze how hydrogel elasticity influences their wetting behavior on rigid surfaces, bridging liquid and solid states with experimental validation.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model that explains hydrogel contact forces and transitions between attractive and repulsive interactions based on elasticity, validated by experiments.

Findings

Identifies a critical elasticity for interaction switch

Validates model with Polyacrylamide hydrogel experiments

Reproduces Young's law and adhesion limits

Abstract

Sessile hydrogel drops on rigid surfaces exhibit wetting/contact morphology intermediate between liquid drops and glass spheres. Using density functional theory, we reveal the contact forces acting between a hydrogel and a rigid glass surface. We show that while transitioning from liquid-like to solid-like hydrogels, there exists a critical hydrogel elasticity which enables a switch from attractive to repulsive interaction with the underlying rigid glass surface. Our theoretical model is validated by experimental observations of sessile Polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels of varying elasticity on glass surfaces. Further, the proposed model successfully approaches Young's law in the pure liquid limit and work of adhesion in the glassy limit. Lastly, we show a modified contact angle relation taking into account the hydrogel elasticity to explain the features of a distinct hydrogel foot.