Direct Measurement of Solid-Liquid Interfacial Energy Using a Meniscus br

Solid-liquid interactions are central to diverse processes. The interaction strength can be described by thesolid-liquid interfacial free energy (gamma SL), a quantity that is difficult to measure. Here, we present the directexperimental measurement of gamma SLfor a variety of solid materials, from nonpolar polymers to highly wettingmetals. By attaching a thin solid film on top of a liquid meniscus, we create a solid-liquid interface. Theinterface determines the curvature of the meniscus, analysis of which yields gamma SLwith an uncertainty of lessthan 10%. Measurement of classically challenging metal-water interfaces reveals gamma SL similar to 30-60mJ=m2,demonstrating quantitatively that water-metal adhesion is 80% stronger than the cohesion energy of bulkwater, and experimentally verifying previous quantum chemical calculations