On the Stability of Thin Films

Abstract

The spontaneous rupture of stationary and owing thin lms on solid substrates due to long-range dispersion interactions have been studied. For stationary thin lms, the focus is on the effect of viscosity strati cation on the stability of lms. Detailed linear and non-linear analysis have been carried out and the effect of slip has been revisited. In the case of the owing lms, the spotlight is on the interaction between insoluble surfactants and the base ow. A Detailed linear study suggests that owing lms laden with surface active agents are much more stable than stationary lms with surfactants or owing lms without surfactants. A possible stabilization mechanism in terms of the energy production has also been put forward