Components of solid surface free energy from wetting measurements

Abstract

Three methods of manipulating wetting data appear satisfactory in providing estimates of the components of solid surface free energy due to dispersion, Keesom, and hydrogen-bonding forces. These include: an extension of the Hansen method with contact angle data, which had been applied to solubility parameters, to surface free energy calculations; Hansen plots of absorption volume data; and Zisman plots using the components of surface tension rather than total surface tension. The Fowkes equation for the dispersion component of surface free energy agrees well with the results from the empirical methods. Extensions and modifications of the Fowkes equation to provide the polar components of solid surface free energy have not worked well when evaluated with a wide range of reference liquids.