Interfaces between condensed phases. Wetting

Publisher Summary The laws governing the interfacial phenomena between condensed phases and their vapor (or air) in single- and two-component systems are largely applicable to the interfaces between two condensed phases, which is between two liquids, two solids, or between a solid and a liquid. At the same time, these interfaces have some important peculiarities, primarily related to the partial compensation of the intermolecular interactions. The degree of saturation of the surface forces is determined by the similarity in the molecular nature of the phases in contact. When adsorption of surfactants takes place at such interfaces, it may substantially enhance the decrease in the interfacial energy. The latter is of great importance as surfactants play a major role in the formation and degradation of disperse systems. The intensity of intermolecular interactions at the interfaces between condensed phases is one of the critical factors determining the conditions for wetting and spreading. A large number of important technological processes, such as mineral processing (flotational enrichment and separation), are based on these phenomena.