Size Dependence of the Surface Tension of a Small Droplet under the Assumption of a Constant Tolman Length: Critical Analysis

Convincing arguments have been presented testifying that that the surface tension of a small spherical droplet must decrease upon diminishing droplet radius in correspondence with a positive constant Tolman length. The solution of the Gibbs–Tolman–Koenig–Buff equation has been found in the most compact form. The surface tension of a small spherical droplet has been calculated within the framework of the continual approximation using the Mie–Lennard-Jones interatomic pair potential.