Drop Impact on Submillimeter-Structured Surfaces with Different Wetting Behaviors

Droplet impact behaviors are crucial in controlling infectious diseases, inkjet printing, and anti-icing applications. The wettability and microstructure of the material surface are critical factors in this regard. Compared to microstructures, submillimeter structures are more damage-resistant, thereby ensuring droplet impact behaviors' stability. Herein, submillimeter-structured PDMS surfaces with varying wetting properties were prepared to investigate droplet impact behaviors. Experimental results indicate that submillimeter-structured surfaces are more prone to droplet splashing than flat surfaces, which can be suppressed by increasing surface hydrophilicity. An increase in the submillimeter pillar height and a decrease in spacing result in an increased critical Weber number. Additionally, the capillary forces of the superhydrophilic surface lead to droplet impact, accompanied by deposition. This study supports the long-term stable use of the droplet impact effect to achieve fluid separation.