Electrostatics slows down the breakup of liquid bridges on solid surfaces

TL;DR

This study investigates how electrostatic forces, generated by slide electrification, influence the breakup dynamics of water-glycerol liquid bridges on solid surfaces, revealing slowed breakup and satellite drop motion.

Contribution

It demonstrates experimentally that slide electrification significantly affects liquid bridge breakup and dewetting processes, aligning with existing theory.

Findings

Electrostatic forces slow down bridge breakup

Slide electrification causes satellite drop motion

Electrostatics influence dewetting beyond drops

Abstract

We experimentally study the breakup of water-glycerol liquid bridges on non-conductive surfaces and find that spontaneous charge deposition at the receding contact line, slide electrification, can have a substantial influence. Electrostatic forces slow down the dynamics during, and cause spontaneous motion of satellite drops after the bridge breakup. We show that our experimental observations align with slide electrification theory. Our findings demonstrate that slide electrification plays an important role in dewetting beyond drop-related scenarios.