Equation-of-state-dependent surface free-energy density for wettability in lattice Boltzmann method.

Abstract

In thermodynamic theory, the liquid-vapor fluids can be described by a single multiphase equation of state and the surface wettability is usually characterized by the surface free-energy density. In this work, we propose an equation-of-state-dependent surface free-energy density for the wettability of the liquid-vapor fluids on a solid surface, which can lead to a simple closed-form analytical expression for the contact angle. Meanwhile, the thermodynamically derived equilibrium condition is equivalent to the geometric formulation of the contact angle. To numerically validate the present surface free-energy density, the mesoscopic multiphase lattice Boltzmann model with self-tuning equation of state, which is strictly consistent with thermodynamic theory, is employed, and the two-dimensional wetting condition treatment is extended to the three-dimensional situation with flat and curved surfaces. Two- and three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulations of static droplets on flat and curved surfaces are first performed, and the obtained contact angles agree well with the closed-form analytical expression. Then, the three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann simulation of a moving droplet on an inclined wall, which is vertically and sinusoidally oscillated, is carried out. The dynamic contact angles well satisfy the Cox-Voinov law. The droplet movement regimes are consistent with previous experiments and two-dimensional simulations. The dependence of the droplet overall velocity with respect to the dimensionless oscillation strength is also discussed in detail.