First order wedge wetting revisited
File(s)FOWedgeComments01.pdf (1.48 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Rascon, Carlos
Pausch, Johannes
Parry, AO
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We consider a fluid adsorbed in a wedge made from walls that exhibit a first-order wetting transition and revisit the argument as to why and how the pre-filling and pre-wetting coexistence lines merge when the opening angle is increased approaching the planar geometry. We clarify the nature of the possible surface phase diagrams, pointing out the connection with complete pre-wetting, and show that the merging of the coexistence lines lead to new interfacial transitions. These occur along the side walls and are associated with the unbinding of the thin-thick interface, rather than the liquid–gas interface (meniscus), from the wedge apex. When fluctuation effects, together with the influence of dispersion forces are included, these transitions display strong non-universal critical singularities that depend on the opening angle itself. Similar phenomena are also shown to occur for adsorption near an apex tip.
Date Issued
2018-04-21
Date Acceptance
2018-03-22
Citation
Soft Matter, 2018, 14, pp.2835-2845
ISSN
1744-683X
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
2835
End Page
2845
Journal / Book Title
Soft Matter
Volume
14
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2018
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/L020564/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Physical
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Polymer Science
Chemistry
Materials Science
Physics
TRANSITIONS
ADSORPTION
SURFACE
MODEL
03 Chemical Sciences
09 Engineering
02 Physical Sciences
Chemical Physics
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-03-22