Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 September 2018
We investigate experimentally and theoretically the stability and collapse of holes in liquid layers on bounded substrates with various wettabilities. It is shown that for a liquid layer with a thickness of the order of the capillary length, a stable hole exists when the hole diameter is bigger than a critical value $d_{c}$. Consequently, a further increase of the liquid volume causes the hole to collapse. It is found that $d_{c}$ increases with the size of the container, but its dependence on the contact angle is very weak. The experimental results are compared with theory, and good agreement is obtained. Moreover, we present investigations of the dynamics of the hole and the evolution of the liquid film profile after the collapse. The diameter of the hole during collapse and the minimum thickness of the liquid film shortly after the collapse obey different power laws with time. Simple theoretical models are developed which indicate that the collapse of the hole is triggered by surface tension and the subsequent closure process results from inertia, whereas the growth of the liquid column after hole closure results from the balance between the capillary force and inertia. Corresponding scaling coefficients are determined.
Hole collapse on a superhydrophobic Al plate viewed from the top. Initially, the hole diameter decreases very slowly when adding more water. The dynamics speed up significantly when d reaches dc.
Same experiment as is movie 1, but captured from the side. This movie starts after instability has already set in. After hole collapse, an air bubble is formed on the surface but finally vanishes in the indentations.
Hole collapse in a water layer on a Teflon substrate in side view. After the hole is completely closed, there is an air bubble left at the center of the substrate.
Hole collapse on a hydrophilic silicon wafer in the side view. Different from the other three samples, here an acute angle at the three-phase contact line is observed. Line pinning is observed in the first stage when the hole is stable. However, beyond the stability threshold the hole collapses rather smoothly.