Open Access

ARTICLE

A Phase Field Description of Spatio-Temporal Behavior in Thin Liquid Layers

by Rodica Borcia¹, Michael Bestehorn²

1 Email: borcia@physik.tu-cottbus.de, Lehrstuhl Statistische Physik / Nichtlineare Dynamik, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus, Erich-Weinert-Straβ e 1, 03046, Cottbus, Germany
2 Lehrstuhl Statistische Physik / Nichtlineare Dynamik, Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus, Erich-Weinert-Straβ e 1, 03046, Cottbus, Germany

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2010, 6(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3970/fdmp.2010.006.001

Abstract

We study numerically the fully nonlinear evolution of thin liquid films on solid supports in three spatial dimensions. A phase field model is used as mathematical tool. Homogeneous and inhomogeneous substrates are taken into account. For flat homogeneous substrates the stability of thin liquid layers is investigated under the action of gravity. The coarsening process at the solid boundary can be controlled on inhomogeneous substrates. On substrates chemically patterned in an adequate way with hydrophobic and hydrophilic spots (functional surfaces), one can obtain stable regular liquid droplets as final dewetted morphology.

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Keywords

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