Interfacial tension in water at solid surfaces

TL;DR

This paper investigates the presence of interfacial tension in water at solid surfaces using atomic force microscopy, providing experimental evidence that voids form at solid-liquid interfaces due to this tension.

Contribution

It offers experimental validation of interfacial liquid tension effects at non-planar solid surfaces, supporting a recent cavitation nuclei formation model.

Findings

Void formation occurs at solid-liquid interfaces.

Interfacial tension influences cavitation processes.

Atomic force microscopy confirms the existence of interfacial tension.

Abstract

A model for the formation of cavitation nuclei in liquids has recently been presented with basis in interfacial liquid tension at non-planar solid surfaces of concave form. In the present paper investigations of water-solid interfaces by atomic force microscopy are reported to illuminate experimentally effects of interfacial liquid tension. The results support that such tension occurs and that voids develop at solid-liquid interfaces.