Size-Dependent Surface Tension and Tolman's Length of Droplets

Abstract

A model for the size-dependent surface tension gammalv(D) of liquid droplets, free of any adjustable parameter, is presented in terms of the size-dependent surface energy gammasv(D). It is found that gammalv(D) drops monotonically with the size of the droplet in the nanometer region. Modeling predictions agree with computer simulations for sodium, aluminum, and water droplets. Meanwhile, the Tolman's equation is found to be valid for small particles, and the Tolman's length is always positive and becomes longer when the droplet size is decreased.