Slip of submerged two-dimensional liquid-infused surfaces in the presence of surfactants

Abstract

Using numerical simulations, we investigate the effects of Marangoni stresses induced by surfactants on the effective slip length of liquid-infused surfaces (LIS) with transverse grooves. The surfactants are assumed soluble in the external liquid shearing the surface and can adsorb onto the interfaces. Two different adsorption models are used: a classical Frumkin model and a more advanced model that better describes the decrease of surface tension for minuscule concentrations. The simulations show that LIS may face even more severe effects of surfactants than previously investigated superhydrophobic surfaces. Constructing an analytical model for the effective slip length, we can predict the critical surfactant concentration for which the slip length decreases significantly. This analytical model describes both adsorption models of LIS on a unified framework if properly adjusted. We also advance the understanding of when surfactant advection gives rise to highly skewed interfacial concentrations: the so-called partial stagnant cap regime. To a good approximation, this regime can only exist below a specific surfactant concentration given by the Marangoni number and the strength of the surfactants.