Liquid layers on patterned surfaces

Abstract

We examine numerically the behavior of liquid layers on horizontal patterned surfaces with hydrophobic and hydrophilic stripes. To this aim we use a phase field model as a mathematical tool with the density as the order parameter. The theoretical description is based on the Navier–Stokes equation with extra phase field terms and the continuity equation. The surface heterogeneity is controlled through the boundary conditions for the density field at the liquid–solid interface.