Underwater Bubble Manipulation on Surfaces with Patterned Regions with Infused Lubricants
Shiping He1, Zijie Li1, Anhui Yu1
1Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|March 6, 2024
Summary
Scientists developed a patterned slippery surface (PLIS) for efficient underwater gas bubble manipulation. This novel material overcomes limitations of aerophilic surfaces, offering stable bubble transport and reduced gas loss in extreme environments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Underwater gas bubble manipulation is crucial for applications like water electrolysis and drug delivery.
- Existing aerophilic surfaces suffer from gas loss and instability in harsh underwater conditions.
- Lubricant-infused surfaces offer improved bubble transport but require further optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel surface for efficient and stable underwater gas bubble manipulation.
- To overcome the limitations of current aerophilic and lubricant-infused surfaces.
- To create a cost-effective and scalable solution for bubble transport.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a patterned slippery surface (PLIS) using laser and ammonia etching.
- Design inspired by Nepenthes and cactus spines for superaerophobic and aerophilic properties.
- Characterization of bubble capture, transport (Laplace force, buoyancy), and release mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The PLIS demonstrates efficient bubble capture (78° wettability difference) and controlled transport.
- The surface exhibits superior stability and reduced gas loss compared to traditional aerophilic surfaces.
- PLIS shows excellent resistance to shear, acid, alkali, and corrosion, indicating potential for extreme environments.
Conclusions:
- The patterned lubricant-infused surface (PLIS) offers a promising advancement in underwater gas bubble manipulation.
- PLIS provides a stable, efficient, and robust platform for various applications.
- The rapid, affordable, and scalable fabrication method highlights its practical potential.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Excess Pressure Inside a Drop and a Bubble
1.7K
The shape of a small drop of liquid can be considered spherical, neglecting the effect of gravity. This drop can further be considered as two equal hemispherical drops put together due to surface tension. The forces acting on the spherical drop are due to the pressure of the liquid inside the drop, the pressure due to air outside the drop, and the force due to the surface tension acting on the two hemispherical drops.
1.7K
01:22Surface Tension of Fluid
283
Surface tension is a fundamental property of fluids, occurring at the boundary between a liquid and a gas or between two immiscible liquids. This phenomenon arises from the cohesive forces between molecules at the fluid's surface, creating an effect similar to a stretched elastic membrane. Inside each fluid, molecules are equally attracted in all directions by neighboring molecules, but surface molecules experience a net inward force, resulting in surface tension.
Surface tension varies...
Surface tension varies...
283
02:57Surface Tension, Capillary Action, and Viscosity
27.8K
Surface Tension
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
The various IMFs between identical molecules of a substance are examples of cohesive forces. The molecules within a liquid are surrounded by other molecules and are attracted equally in all directions by the cohesive forces within the liquid. However, the molecules on the surface of a liquid are attracted only by about one-half as many molecules. Because of the unbalanced molecular attractions on the surface molecules, liquids contract to form a shape that minimizes the number...
27.8K