Contact Angle - Measuring Methods

Measuring Methods

The static sessile drop method
The sessile drop method is measured by a contact angle goniometer using an optical subsystem to capture the profile of a pure liquid on a solid substrate. The angle formed between the liquid/solid interface and the liquid/vapor interface is the contact angle. Older systems used a microscope optical system with a back light. Current-generation systems employ high resolution cameras and software to capture and analyze the contact angle.
The dynamic sessile drop method
The dynamic sessile drop is similar to the static sessile drop but requires the drop to be modified. A common type of dynamic sessile drop study determines the largest contact angle possible without increasing its solid/liquid interfacial area by adding volume dynamically. This maximum angle is the advancing angle. Volume is removed to produce the smallest possible angle, the receding angle. The difference between the advancing and receding angle is the contact angle hysteresis.
Dynamic Wilhelmy method
A method for calculating average advancing and receding contact angles on solids of uniform geometry. Both sides of the solid must have the same properties. Wetting force on the solid is measured as the solid is immersed in or withdrawn from a liquid of known surface tension.
Single-fiber Wilhelmy method
Dynamic Wilhelmy method applied to single fibers to measure advancing and receding contact angles.
Powder contact angle method
Enables measurement of average contact angle and sorption speed for powders and other porous materials. Change of weight as a function of time is measured.

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