We discuss theoretically the wetting properties of "antagonistic solid structures" :
(a) a layer of low polarisability deposited on a high energy surface (eg by grafting).
(b) a layer of high polarisability (eg metallic) deposited on a low energy surface. The polarisability of the liquid is chosen to be intermediate between those of the two solid components, and the liquid is assumed to be non volatile. Case (a) leads to partial wetting, where a droplet is in equilibrium with a dry solid. Case (b) leads to what we have called (1) pseudopartial wetting, where the droplet has a finite contact angle, but generates a film of prescribed thickness en,. This thickness will usually be comparable to the size of the solid surface layer (eo). We describe both the statics and the dynamics of formation of these thick films.
I. General aims
The wettability of a solid surface (2) can be adjusted by various means, such as the deposition of surfactants, the grafting of short chains on surface -or groups (3), the evaporation of metallic films, or the deposition from solution of suitable polymer film. Some of the resulting systems can be idealised as a simple, homogeneous layer of thickness eu in the range 20 -100 A