The structure, surface tension and Tolman length of particulate-fluid interfaces were studied theoretically. Within the framework of density functional theory, the nonlocal, modified fundamental measure theory and direct correlation function from the first-order mean spherical approximation were incorporated. The theory accurately predicted the structure of fluid and the particulate-vapor surface tensions. The predictions of surface tensions for particulate-liquid interface and particulate in supercritical fluid are also reasonable. Especially, Tolman lengths for particulate-fluid interfaces were investigated systematically. The correct prediction of surface tension from Tolman length indicates that our analysis is reliable. Furthermore, Tolman length as a function of spherical particulate diameter, particulate-fluid interaction energy, and the properties of the fluid is fully discussed.

in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).In this work, a theoretical model was developed to describe the wetting behavior of nanoparticles at liquid-vapor interface by the integration of the renormalization group transformation, the cell theory, and the modified fundamental measurement theory with the first-order mean spherical approximation method. The results show that the new model can be used to investigate the global behavior and surface tensions of nanoparticle/fluid systems. Particularly, the nanoparticle's wetting behavior inside critical region was discussed systematically. More important, this work proposed a methodology for calculating line tension and contact angle, showing that line tension has considerable influence on wetting properties for small nanoparticles, whereas it is negligible for large nanoparticles. Therefore, this work provides a general method for studying the wetting behavior of nanoparticles that may find wide applications in the field of chemical engineering.