Capillary Adhesion around the Shapes Optimized by Dissolution

Abstract

Moreover, liquids or droplets are usually pinned on the substrate surfaces, which strongly influences the formation of capillary adhesion. This phenomenon can be described by contact angle hysteresis (CAH), which is a difference between advancing and receding angles. [7] The main causes invoked for the CAH are surface roughness, external fields, and heterogeneities. We focused on these factors in this work. Furthermore, the adhesion force is crucial to micro-nano technology. [8][9][10][11] For example, the accuracy and safety of measurements performed with the atomic force microscope (AFM) are strongly influenced by capillary adhesion [12] due to spontaneous capillary condensation in a humid environment.

Shape optimization of a meniscus-adherent nanotip

“…19,21,50 Therefore, accurately judging the optimized shape is of great significance. It is noteworthy that the tip apex curvature radius cannot be infinitesimal, but that theoretical works 16–18 assume the apex to be infinitely sharp.…”

“…Besides, theoretical research on tips is based on continuum theory, in which many assumptions are made to simplify calculations. 16–18 Some of these assumptions are not fully applicable to atomic-scale tip-shape evolution. In the context of these challenges, atomistic modelling serves as a powerful probe to elucidate tip formation mechanisms.…”