Dynamics of Fattening and Thinning 2D Sessile Droplets

Publication Year
2016

Type

Journal Article
Abstract
We investigate the dynamics of a droplet on a planar substrate as the droplet volume changes dynamically due to liquid being pumped in or out through a pore. We adopt a diffuse-interface formulation which is appropriately modified to account for a localized inflow-outflow boundary condition (the pore) at the bottom of the droplet, hence allowing to dynamically control its volume, as the droplet moves on a flat substrate with a periodic chem. pattern. We find that the droplet undergoes a stick-slip motion as the volume is increased (fattening droplet) which can be monitored by tracking the droplet contact points. If we then switch over to outflow conditions (thinning droplet), the droplet follows a different path (i.e., the distance of the droplet midpoint from the pore location evolves differently), giving rise to a hysteretic behavior. By means of geometrical arguments, we are able to theor. construct the full bifurcation diagram of the droplet equilibrium (positions and droplet shapes) as the droplet volume is changed, finding excellent agreement with time-dependent computations of our diffuse-interface model.
Journal
Langmuir
Volume
32
Pages
4736-4745
ISBN
1520-58270743-7463

CAplus AN 2016:602241; MEDLINE PMID: 27077328 (Journal; Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)