Dynamics of two-phase interfaces and surface tensions: A density-functional theory perspective

ORAL

Abstract

Classical density functional theory (DFT) is a statistical mechanical framework for the description of fluids at the nanoscale, where the inhomogeneity of the fluid structure needs to be carefully accounted for. By expressing the grand free-energy of the fluid as a functional of the one-body density, DFT offers a theoretically consistent and computationally accessible way to obtain two-phase interfaces and respective interfacial tensions in a ternary solid-liquid-gas system. The dynamic version of DFT (DDFT) can be rigorously derived from the Smoluchowsky picture of the dynamics of colloidal particles in a solvent. It is generally agreed that DDFT can capture the diffusion-driven evolution of many soft-matter systems. In this context, we use DDFT to investigate the dynamic behaviour of two-phase interfaces in both equilibrium and dynamic wetting and discuss the possibility of defining a time-dependent surface tension, which still remains in debate.

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Authors

  • Petr Yatsyshin

    Complex Multiscale Systems Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Imperial College London, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

  • David N. Sibley

    Loughborough University, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK;Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

  • Miguel A. Duran-Olivencia

    Imperial College London, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK

  • Serafim Kalliadasis

    Complex Multiscale Systems Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Imperial College London, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College, London, UK, Imperial College - London, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK