Nanohydrodynamics: The intrinsic flow boundary condition on smooth surfaces

A dynamic surface force apparatus is used to determine the intrinsic flow boundary condition of two simple liquids, water and dodecane, on various smooth surfaces. We demonstrate the impact of experimental errors and data analysis on the accuracy of slip length determination. In all systems investigated, the dissipation is described by a well-defined boundary condition accounting for a whole range of separation, film thickness, and shear rate. A no-slip boundary condition is found in all wetting situations. On strongly hydrophobic surfaces, water undergoes finite slippage that increases with hydrophobicity. We also compare the relative influence of hydrophobicity and liquid viscosity on boundary flow by using water-glycerol mixtures with similar wetting properties.