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Coalescence-induced droplet detachment on low-adhesion surfaces: A three-phase system study
Mostafa Moradi1, Mohammad Hassan Rahimian1, Seyed Farshid Chini1
1School of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Water droplets can spontaneously jump off superhydrophobic surfaces after merging. This self-propelled droplet jumping is influenced by lubricant-water interfacial tension and surface wettability, crucial for applications like heat transfer and self-cleaning.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Surface science
- Materials science
Background:
- Coalescing water droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit self-propelled detachment.
- This phenomenon is vital for applications including phase change heat transfer, self-cleaning, and anti-icing/anti-dew coatings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically investigate coalescence-induced droplet jumping in a three-phase system.
- To explore the influence of lubricant properties and surface wettability on droplet detachment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mass-conserving lattice Boltzmann method for numerical simulations.
- Investigated the effects of interfacial tensions, droplet size, and surface wettability.
Main Results:
- Droplet detachment occurs at high lubricant-water interfacial tensions and large surface-water contact angles (>150°).
- The critical droplet size for jumping is significantly dependent on lubricant-water interfacial properties.
Conclusions:
- Provides insights into fluid-fluid and fluid-solid interactions during droplet coalescence.
- Elucidates the underlying mechanisms of droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surfaces with lubricant-filled gaps.
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