Journal of Adhesion, Vol.80, No.8, 705-725, 2004
Determination of solid surface tension from contact angles: The role of shape and size of liquid molecules
Accurate surface tension of Teflon(R) AF 1600 was determined using contact angles of liquids with bulky molecules. For one group of liquids, the contact angle data fall quite perfectly on a smooth curve corresponding to gamma(sv) = 13.61 mJ/m(2), with a mean deviation of only +/- 0.24 degrees from this curve. Results suggest that these liquids do not interact with the solid in a specific fashion. However, contact angles of a second group of liquids with fairly bulky molecules containing oxygen atoms, nitrogen atoms, or both deviate somewhat from this curve, up to approximately 3 degrees. Specific interactions between solid and liquid molecules and reorientation of liquid molecules in the close vicinity of the solid surface are the most likely causes of the deviations. It is speculated that such processes induce a change in the solid-liquid interfacial tension, causing the contact angle deviations mentioned above. Criteria are established for determination of accurate solid surface tensions.
Keywords:liquids with bulky molecules;surface tension;contact angle deviations;Teflon (R) AF 1600;electronegativity;ADSA-P