Cohesive properties of thin films of liquids adhering to a solid surface

Abstract

The process of forming and rupturing a thin liquid film at a solid surface is described thermodynamically for both high and low energy solid surfaces. In part 1 the build-up of thin films on high-energy surfaces from the first monolayer is considered and reviewed. Components of the surface free energy of formation of the thin film (disjoining pressure) are defined. For curved surfaces the disjoining forces should be combined with the Laplace capillary pressure to give a correct form of the Kelvin equation. It is suggested from the early work of Bangham and Deryaguin that thin liquid layers have anomalous physical properties. These studies are discussed in relation to the thickness of the liquid films.In part 2, new experimental evidence of the critical rupture thickness of thin liquid films on low energy surface is presented. A number of pure liquids rupture spontaneously on low energy surfaces such as wax or polytetrafluoroethylene at very great thicknesses (0.01 cm). The effects of aqueous salt and surfactant solutions suggest these long-range forces are electrical in origin.