Mean-field theory of liquid droplets on roughened solid surfaces: application to superhydrophobicity

Abstract

We present calculations of the density distributions and contact angles of liquid droplets on roughened solid surfaces for a lattice gas model solved in a mean-field approximation. For the case of a smooth surface, this approach yields contact angles that are well described by Young's equation. We consider rough surfaces created by placing an ordered array of pillars on a surface, modeling so-called superhydrophobic surfaces, and we have made calculations for a range of pillar heights. The apparent contact angle follows two regimes as the pillar height increases. In the first regime, the liquid penetrates the interpillar volume, and the contact angle increases with pillar height before reaching a constant value. This behavior is similar to that described by the Wenzel equation for contact angles on rough surfaces, although the contact angles are underestimated. In the second regime, the liquid does not penetrate the interpillar volume substantially, and the contact angle is independent of the pillar height. This situation is similar to that envisaged in the Cassie-Baxter equation for contact angles on heterogeneous surfaces, but the contact angles are overestimated by this equation. For larger pillar heights, two states of the droplet can be observed, one Wenzel-like and the other Cassie-like.