Morphology of a droplet deposited on a strip and triangular groove

Abstract

The behavior of a droplet deposited on solid surfaces, one in the shape of a narrow strip and the other in the shape of a groove of triangular cross-section, was studied. Surface/interface energy of the droplet on the surfaces was calculated. In addition, Laplace pressure and linear size of the droplet were determined. Unexpected dependence of the shape of the droplet placed on the triangular groove on its volume, that is, the jumpwise change in the droplet shape taking place on increasing of its volume, was revealed. This change was found to show some features of a second-order phase transition.