Capillary contact angle for the quartz-distilled water-normal decane interface at temperatures up to 200 °C

We present a new, capillary-based contact angle system capable of operation at elevated temperatures up to 200 °C and pressures of 69 bar. New data collected at the quartz/distilled water/n-decane interface from 25 °C to 200 °C indicate a strong temperature linear dependence (1.1° increase for every 5 °C) on the contact angle. This increase cannot be solely attributed to viscous forces influencing the dynamic contact angle, nor can it be sufficiently described by changes in the n-decane/distilled water interfacial tension. Changes to the liquid/solid adhesions also seem likely to be responsible for this temperature dependency. The experimental system will prove useful in fundamental wettability studies through porous media as a function of temperature and add depth to our understanding of enhanced oil recovery processes and interfacial phenomena as a whole. The data highlights the importance of temperature on the wetting behavior of relatively simple, homogeneous, and immiscible materials.