In this dissertation, we present the Slattery-Oh-Fu theory extending continuum
mechanics to the nanoscale and its applications.
We begin with an analysis of supercritical adsorption of argon, krypton, and
methane on Graphon before we fully develop the theory. We compare our results
both with existing experimental data and with prior molecular-based theories.
Then, we present the general theory, which is based upon a long history of
important developments beginning with Hamaker (1937). In the context of continuum
mechanics, nanoscale problems always involve the immediate neighborhood of a phase
interface or the immediate neighborhood of a three-phase line of contact or common
line. We test this theory by using it to predict both the surface tensions of the
n-alkanes and the static contact angles for the n-alkanes on PTFE and for several
liquids on PDMS. For the contact angle predictions, the results are compatible with
previously published experimental data. The results for the contact angle analysis
also provide a successful test of a previously derived form of Young??s equation for the
true, rather than apparent, common line.
We also studied Mode I fracture at nanoscale. While we don??t have experimental
data to compare, we get reasonable crack configuration and avoid stress singularity at
the crack tip. Coalescence problems are revisited to explore the retardation effects in the computation of intermolecular forces. We get good agreement with experimental
results.
We conclude with a confidence that this theory can be used as a bridge between
continuum mechanics and other molecular-based methods.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/2708 |
| Date | 01 November 2005 |
| Creators | Fu, Kaibin |
| Contributors | Slattery, John C. |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Dissertation, text |
| Format | 518770 bytes, electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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