Eur. Phys. J. E (2017) 40: 69
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2017-11557-9

Regular Article

Liquid droplets on a free-standing glassy membrane: Deformation through the glass transition

¹ Department of Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
² Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie Théorique, UMR CNRS Gulliver 7083, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, 75005, Paris, France

^* e-mail: dalnoki@mcmaster.ca

Received: 6 April 2017
Accepted: 11 July 2017
Published online: 28 July 2017

Abstract

In this study, micro-droplets are placed on thin, glassy, free-standing films where the Laplace pressure of the droplet deforms the free-standing film, creating a bulge. The film’s tension is modulated by changing temperature continuously from well below the glass transition into the melt state of the film. The contact angle of the liquid droplet with the planar film as well as the angle of the bulge with the film are measured and found to be consistent with the contact angles predicted by a force balance at the contact line.