On a thermodynamically consistent diffuse interface model for two-phase incompressible flows with non-matched densities: Dynamics of moving contact lines, surface diffusion, and mass transfer
Abstract
We examine a thermodynamically consistent diffuse interface model for two-phase incompressible viscous flows in a smooth bounded domain Ω ⊂ R d ( d ∈ { 2 , 3 } ). This model characterizes the evolution of free interfaces in contact with the solid boundary, specifically addressing the phenomenon of moving contact lines. The associated evolution system comprises a nonhomogeneous Navier–Stokes equation for the (volume) averaged fluid velocity v , nonlinearly coupled with a convective Cahn–Hilliard equation governing the order parameter φ . Notably, for the boundary dynamics, the current model incorporates surface diffusion, a variable contact angle between the diffuse interface and the solid boundary, as well as mass transfer between bulk and surface. This material transfer adheres to a mass conservation law encompassing both bulk and surface contributions. In the general scenario of non-matched densities, we establish the existence of global weak solutions with finite energy in both two and three dimensions.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Navier-Stokes equation solutions
Solidification and crystal growth phenomena
Fluid Dynamics and Thin Films
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Differential Equations
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 465
- Pages
- 114203–114203
- Publication date
- 12 February 2026
- Language
- EN