Microscopic Origin of Capillary Force Balance at Contact Line

JC Fan and J De Coninck and HA Wu and FC Wang, PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 124, 125502 (2020).

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.125502

We investigate the underlying mechanism of capillary force balance at the contact line. In particular, we offer a novel approach to describe and quantify the capillary force on the liquid in coexistence with its vapor phase, which is crucial in wetting and spreading dynamics. Its relation with the interface tension is elucidated. The proposed model is verified by our molecular dynamics simulations over a wide contact angle range. Differences in capillary forces are observed in evaporating droplets on homogeneous and decorated surfaces. Our findings not only provide a theoretical insight into capillary forces at the contact line, but also validate Young's equation based on a mechanical interpretation.

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