Dynamics of Spreading of Small Droplets of Chainlike Molecules on Surfaces

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze how small droplets of chainlike molecules spread on surfaces, revealing shape transitions and spreading behaviors consistent with experimental polymer droplet data.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the spreading dynamics of chainlike molecule droplets, highlighting the effects of surface potential depth and shape on droplet morphology and spreading rate.

Findings

Layered, stepped droplet shapes for solvent and dimers

Rounded, rapidly spreading droplets for tetramers at shallow potentials

Results align with experimental observations of polymer droplet spreading

Abstract

Dynamics of spreading of small droplets on surfaces has been studied by the molecular dynamics method. Simulations have been performed for mixtures of solvent and dimer, and solvent and tetramer droplets. For solvent particles and dimers, layering occurs leading to stepped droplet shapes. For tetramers such shapes occur for relatively deep and strong surface potentials only. For wider and more shallow potentials, more rapid spreading and rounded droplet shapes occur. These results are in accordance with experimental data on small non - volatile polymer droplets. PACS numbers: 68.10Gw, 05.70.Ln, 61.20.Ja, 68.45Gd