The Force Required to Detach a Rotating Particle from a Liquid-Fluid Interface

The force required to detach a particle from a liquid-fluid interface is a direct measure of the capillary adhesion between the particle and the interface. Analytical expressions for the detachment force are available but are limited to nonrotating particles. In this work, we derive analytical expressions for the force required to detach a rotating spherical particle from a liquid-fluid interface. Our theory predicts that the rotation reduces the detachment force when there is a finite contact angle hysteresis between the particle and the liquid. For example, the force required to detach a particle with an advancing contact angle of 120 degrees and a receding contact angle of 80 degrees (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane particle at a water-air interface) is expected to be 25% lower when the particle rotates while it is detached.

Automated summary

In this study, analytical expressions for the force required to detach a rotating spherical particle from a liquid-fluid interface were derived, with the theory predicting a reduction in detachment force due to rotation, particularly when there is contact angle hysteresis between the particle and the liquid.