Lattice Boltzmann simulations of apparent slip and contact angle in hydrophobic micro-channels

Abstract: In this paper, we applied the Shan-Chen multiphase Lattice Boltzmann method to simulate two different parameters, contact angle (a static parameter) and slip length (a dynamic parameter), and we proposed a relationship between them by fitting those numerical simulation results. By changing the values of the strength of interaction between fluid particles (SIF) and the strength of interaction between fluid and solid surface (SIFS), we simulated a series of contact angles and slip lengths. Our numerical simulation results show that both SIF and SIFS have little effects on the relationship between contact angle and slip length. Using the proposed relationship between slip length and contact angle, we further derived an equation to determine the upper limit of nano-particles' diameter under which drag-reduction can be achieved when using nano-particles adsorbing method.