title: Mean-field density functional theory of a three-phase contact line.
abstract: A three-phase contact line in a three-phase fluid system is modeled by a mean-field density functional theory. We use a variational approach to find the Euler-Lagrange equations. Analytic solutions are obtained in the two-phase regions at large distances from the contact line. We employ a triangular grid and use a successive overrelaxation method to find numerical solutions in the entire domain for the special case of equal interfacial tensions for the two-phase interfaces. We use the Kerins-Boiteux formula to obtain a line tension associated with the contact line. This line tension turns out to be negative. We associate line adsorption with the change of line tension as the governing potentials change.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. changyoul@gmail.com
authors.forename: Chang-You
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Widom
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Sekerka
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D044367:Phase Transition