Surface wettability analysis using a microdroplet: a numerical approach

• Published in: TESEA, transactions on energy systems and engineering applications Vol. 6; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Meshram, Ganesh, Biswal, Gloria, Khelkar, Ashish
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Tecnologica de Bolivar 10.03.2025
• Subjects: Contact angle; D2Q9 model; LBM; Solid-fluid interaction parameter; Surface wettability
• ISSN: 2745-0120; 2745-0120
• DOI: 10.32397/tesea.vol6.n1.676

Analysis of hydrophobicity is essential for learning about the characteristics of molecules, surfaces, and materials that reject water. Using a two-dimensional (2D) pseudo-potential multiphase lattice Boltzmann approach with a D2Q9 model, this work examines the influence of solid-fluid interaction strength on wettability and hydrophobicity of smooth surfaces. To ascertain the contact angle and assess the accuracy of the numerical model, the study considers the equilibrium state of a water droplet on a smooth surface. In a 200×200 lattice unit domain, droplets having a radius of 60 lattice units are used to assess the hydrophobicity of smooth surfaces. According to the research, there is a large rise in the contact area between solid walls and water droplets when the solid-fluid interaction parameter is raised, which leads to a greater degree of hydrophobicity. By measuring the contact angle between the solid and fluid-vapor interface for different surfaces, it is observed that as G_ads becomes more negative, the contact angle decreases, indicating increased surface hydrophobicity, and the effect on droplet spreading is also highlighted in the research.