Spreading dynamics of three-dimensional droplets by the lattice-Boltzmann method

We have simulated spreading of small droplets on smooth and rough solid surfaces using the three-dimensional lattice-Boltzmann method. We present results for the influence of the initial distance and shape of the drop from the surface on scaling of droplet radius R as a function of time. For relatively flat initial drop shapes our observations are consistent with Tanner's law R ∼ tq, where q = 1/10. For increasingly spherical initial shapes, the exponent q increases rapidly being above one half for spherical droplets initially just above the surface. As expected, surface roughness slows down spreading, decreases the final drop radius, and results in irregular droplet shape due to pinning of the droplet edge. Our results show that lattice-Boltzmann method can be a powerful tool in realistic simulations of droplet spreading.