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Tuning kinetics to control droplet shapes on chemically striped patterned surfaces
H Patrick Jansen1, Kai Sotthewes, Christian Ganser
1Physics of Interfaces and Nanomaterials, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 8, 2012
Summary
Droplet shape on microstriped surfaces depends on impact kinetics. Faster impacts create spherical droplets, while slower impacts or merging small droplets result in elongated shapes.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Surface science
- Materials science
Background:
- Droplet geometry on microstructured surfaces is crucial for various applications.
- Previous studies suggested kinetics influence droplet shape, but lacked definitive evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To unequivocally establish the role of impact kinetics in determining droplet geometry.
- To compare droplet shapes formed by inkjet printing versus conventional syringe deposition.
Main Methods:
- Deposition of pico- to microliter droplets using an inkjet nozzle.
- Conventional deposition using a syringe.
- Analysis of droplet geometry (aspect ratio) under varying impact conditions (Weber numbers).
Main Results:
- High Weber number impacts lead to enhanced spreading and direction-dependent pinning, resulting in more spherical droplets (low aspect ratio).
- Minimizing impact energy by merging small picoliter droplets reduces impact diameter, forming markedly more elongated droplets.
- Impact kinetics significantly alter droplet shape, contradicting solely surface energy-driven assumptions.
Conclusions:
- Impact kinetics are a primary determinant of droplet shape on chemically microstriped surfaces.
- Controlling deposition kinetics offers a method to engineer droplet geometry for specific applications.
- Understanding these dynamics is key for optimizing processes involving liquid droplet deposition.
