Thermodynamics of wetting, prewetting and surface phase transitions with surface binding

Abstract In living cells, protein-rich condensates can wet the cell membrane and surfaces of membrane-bound organelles. Interestingly, many phase-separating proteins also bind to membranes leading a molecular layer bound molecules. Here we investigate how binding affects wetting, prewetting surface phase transitions. We derive thermodynamic theory for three-dimensional bulk in presence two-dimensional, flat membrane. At coexistence, find that facilitates complete wetting thus lowers angle. Moreover, below saturation concentration, formation thick at thereby shifts transition far concentration. The distinction between unbound molecules near leads large variety states complex diagrams with rich topology Our work suggests transitions combined represent versatile mechanism control domains intra-cellular surfaces.