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Droplet Motion on a Shape Gradient Surface
Yanfen Zheng1, Jiang Cheng1, Cailong Zhou1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology , Guangzhou 510640, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
We demonstrate a facile method to induce water droplet motion on an wedge-shaped superhydrophobic copper surface combining with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) oil layer on it. The unbalanced interfacial tension from the shape gradient offers the actuating force. The superhydrophobicity critically eliminates the droplet contact line pinning and the slippery PDMS oil layer lubricates the droplet motion, which makes the droplet move easily. The maximum velocity and furthest position of droplet motion were recorded and found to be influenced by the gradient angle. The mechanism of droplet motion on the shape gradient surface is systematically discussed, and the theoretical model analysis is well matched with the experimental results.
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