Diffusional growth of wetting droplets

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical model for the diffusional growth of wetting droplets on a boundary wall, incorporating van der Waals interactions, and derives asymptotic solutions across different wetting regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized growth equation based on a Gibbs-Thomson relation that accounts for van der Waals forces, extending previous models of droplet growth.

Findings

Derived a general growth equation for wetting droplets.

Obtained asymptotic solutions in various wetting regimes.

Enhanced understanding of droplet growth dynamics with interactions.

Abstract

The diffusional growth of wetting droplets on the boundary wall of a semi-infinite system is considered in different regions of a first-order wetting phase diagram. In a quasistationary approximation of the concentration field, a general growth equation is established on the basis of a generalized Gibbs-Thomson relation which includes the van der Waals interaction between the droplet and the wall. Asymptotic scaling solutions of these equations are found in the partial-, complete- and pre-wetting regimes.