Condensation Transport in Dynamic Wetting

Wetting and dewetting phenomena involve as yet incompletely understood kinetic behavior occurring near the solid/liquid/fluid triple line. Two major classes of theory exist to explain local motion: the molecular kinetics approach and the hydrodynamic model. We suggest another possibility here which is complementary to the former. Increased meniscus curvature near the triple line of an advancing wetting front leads to an effective slight supersaturation of the liquid vapor, and local condensation ensues. This mass transfer can be in addition to other effects, including hydrodynamic dissipation. Depending on wetting conditions, either effect may dominate, in general agreement with observations reported in the literature.