Hydrophobic pore array surfaces: Wetting and interaction forces in water/ethanol mixtures

► Forces between hydrophobic pore array surfaces in water/ethanol mixes were studied. ► Theories like Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter models could not describe the surface wetting. ► Confocal Raman microscopy showed water and ethanol penetration into the pores. ► In contrast to water measurements, no air cavitation was seen in presence of ethanol. ► Capillary condensation of ethanol was concluded to be the main mechanism behind.