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Recent Growth of Wettability Gradient Surfaces: A Review
Raza Gulfam1,2, Yongping Chen1,2
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Heat Fluid Flow Technology and Energy Application, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
Wettability gradient surfaces (WGSs) offer new ways to control droplet movement. Recent research shows WGSs can either promote or prevent droplet mobility, opening doors for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Bioinspired surfaces with micro/nanostructures alter surface energy, creating artificial wettability.
- Wettability gradient surfaces (WGSs) are classified based on dry or wet apparent surface states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent progress and future prospects of WGSs.
- To focus on governing principles, fabrication, classification, characterization, and applications of WGSs.
Main Methods:
- Bioinspiration and fabrication of topographic micro/nanostructures.
- Classification of WGSs into dry and wet types.
- Characterization of droplet wetting and dynamic regimes on WGSs.
Main Results:
- Wettability gradients do not always induce droplet mobility; sticky and slippery regimes exist.
- WGSs can either prohibit or allow droplet mobility based on dynamic regimes.
- Phase change materials are a promising new class for WGSs.
Conclusions:
- WGSs present technological insights for water harvesting, droplet manipulation, microfluidics, and heat transfer.
- Addressing bottlenecks in WGSs is crucial for realizing their full potential.
- Future research should explore novel WGS designs and applications, including phase change materials.
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