Voltage-induced spreading and superspreading of liquids

G. McHale, C. V. Brown () and N. Sampara
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G. McHale: Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Ellison Place
C. V. Brown: School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University
N. Sampara: School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The ability to quickly spread a liquid across a surface and form a film is fundamental for a diverse range of technological processes, including printing, painting and spraying. Here we show that liquid dielectrophoresis or electrowetting can produce wetting on normally non-wetting surfaces, without needing modification of the surface topography or chemistry. Additionally, superspreading can be achieved without needing surfactants in the liquid. Here we use a modified Hoffman-de Gennes law to predict three distinct spreading regimes: exponential approach to an equilibrium shape, spreading to complete wetting obeying a Tanner’s law-type relationship and superspreading towards a complete wetting film. We demonstrate quantitative experimental agreement with these predictions using dielectrophoresis-induced spreading of stripes of 1,2 propylene glycol. Our findings show how the rate of spreading of a partial wetting system can be controlled using uniform and non-uniform electric fields and how to induce more rapid superspreading using voltage control.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2619

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