Modeling the coalescence of sessile droplets

Abstract

This paper proposes a simple scenario to describe the coalescence of sessile droplets. This scenario predicts a power-law growth of the bridge between the droplets. The exponent of this power law depends on the driving mechanism for the spreading of each droplet. To validate this simple idea, the coalescence is simulated numerically and a basic experiment is performed. The fluid dynamics problem is formulated in the lubrication approximation framework and the governing equations are solved in the commercial finite element software COMSOL. Although a direct comparison of the numerical results with experiment is difficult because of the sensitivity of the coalescence to the initial and operating conditions, the key features of the event are qualitatively captured by the simulation and the characteristic time scale of the dynamics recovered. The experiment consists of inducing coalescence by pumping a droplet through a substrate which grows and ultimately coalesces with another droplet resting on the substrate. The coalescence was recorded using high-speed imaging and also confirmed the power-law growth of the neck. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.