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Droplet Spreading on Heterogeneous Surfaces using a Three-Dimensional Lattice Boltzmann Model

A. Dupuis·A. J. Briant·C. M. Pooley·J. M. Yeomans
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Abstract

We use a three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann model to investigate the spreading of mesoscale droplets on homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces. On a homogeneous substrate the base radius of the droplet grows with time as $t^{0.28}$ for a range of viscosities and surface tensions. The time evolutions collapse onto a single curve as a function of a dimensionless time. On a surface comprising of alternate hydrophobic and hydrophilic stripes the wetting velocity is anisotropic and the equilibrium shape of the droplet reflects the wetting properties of the underlying substrate.

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A. Dupuis, A. J. Briant, C. M. Pooley, J. M. Yeomans. 2003-03-05. Droplet Spreading on Heterogeneous Surfaces using a Three-Dimensional Lattice Boltzmann Model. https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0303082

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