Determination of the Surface Energy of Solids by the Two-Liquid-Phase Method

Abstract

The surface free energy of solids is a characteristic parameter that determines most of the surface properties such as adsorption, wetting, adhesion, etc. The surface energetics of solids may be characterized by measurement of contact angles of different liquids. Nevertheless, the calculation of surface free energy from contact angle measurements has been the subject of much controversy. Indeed, this characteristic of a solid cannot be measured directly because of elastic and viscous restraints of the bulk phase, which necessitate indirect methods.