  We propose a simple surface potential favoring the planar degenerate
anchoring of nematic liquid crystals, i.e., the tendency of the molecules to
align parallel to one another along any direction parallel to the surface. We
show that, at lowest order in the tensorial Landau-de Gennes order-parameter,
fourth-order terms must be included. We analyze the anchoring and wetting
properties of this surface potential. In the nematic phase, we find the desired
degenerate planar anchoring, with positive scalar order-parameter and some
surface biaxiality. In the isotropic phase, we find, in agreement with
experiments, that the wetting layer may exhibit a uniaxial ordering with
negative scalar order-parameter. For large enough anchoring strength, this
negative ordering transits towards the planar degenerate state.
