The present study elucidates the effects of included submicron-sized particles on the wetting behavior of sessile droplets under the influence of applied electric field in an electro-wetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) configuration. A thermodynamic description using an energy minimization approach is used to analyze the experimental results related to the effects of the included particles on the EWOD phenomenon, considering the effects of line tension as well. The effects of particle size and concentration on interfacial areas are included in the model to analyze the wetting characteristics. Experiments are also conducted with submicron-sizes latex beads, in an effort to elucidate the related phenomena. It is further postulated that these beads act as suspended dielectrics in the droplet, thereby mimicking a system of two capacitors in series. An effective electrical permittivity of the composite medium is used to study the experimental results related to contact angle changes at different concentrations and diameters of submicron particles in the droplet. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.