Issue 44, 2017

Polarization mechanisms of dielectric materials at a binary liquid interface: impacts on electrowetting actuation

Abstract

We explored polarization mechanisms at the interface between a dielectric material (an electrolyte) and an insulating liquid, during electrowetting actuation. Native surface charge density due to hydrophobic coating has been measured as an offset voltage for which the contact angle is at its minimum. Surface charge densities as low as 0.023 mC m−2 have been measured using this method, demonstrating that electrowetting can be used as a probe to measure native surface charge density. This effect strongly differs depending on the kind of polarization and is at the origin of major discrepancies between alternative and direct polarization during electrowetting actuation. A new model describing electrowetting actuation is also proposed, leading to a more predictive description as well as useful recommendations on materials to obtain a stable actuation under DC polarization.

Graphical abstract: Polarization mechanisms of dielectric materials at a binary liquid interface: impacts on electrowetting actuation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Sep 2017
Accepted
16 Oct 2017
First published
17 Oct 2017

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017,19, 30139-30146

Polarization mechanisms of dielectric materials at a binary liquid interface: impacts on electrowetting actuation

G. Bonfante, T. Roux-Marchand, M.-C. Audry-Deschamps, L. Renaud, P. Kleimann, A. Brioude and M. Maillard, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 30139 DOI: 10.1039/C7CP06052A

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