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Spreading Dynamics of Binary Solution Droplets on Heated Curved Surfaces: Experiments and Numerical Simulations
Xiangjun Zhou1, Nian Xu1, Jun Chen1
1School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Ma'anshan243002, Anhui, P. R. China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|July 18, 2026
Summary
This study reveals that convex surfaces enhance droplet cooling efficiency for electronics. Adding glycerol to water-ethanol droplets impacts spreading and fragmentation, crucial for thermal management.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Heat Transfer
- Materials Science
Background:
- Efficient thermal management is vital for high-power electronics.
- Droplet impact boiling offers superior heat transfer due to phase change dynamics.
- Understanding alcohol droplet impacts on curved surfaces is key for spray cooling and multiphase flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact dynamics and heat transfer of binary solution droplets (water-ethanol with glycerol) on curved surfaces.
- To investigate the influence of surface morphology, wettability, temperature, and impact height.
- To explore the role of glycerol concentration on droplet behavior and fragmentation.
Main Methods:
- Experimental analysis of droplet impact behavior and heat transfer.
- Numerical simulations of multiphase flow and phase change dynamics.
- Systematic variation of surface types (flat, concave, convex), wettability, temperature, and impact parameters.
Main Results:
- Convex surfaces promote droplet spreading and rebound, outperforming flat and concave surfaces.
- Hydrophobic convex surfaces enhance bouncing, while synergistic effects with temperature intensify heat transfer, creating five impact regimes.
- Higher Weber numbers increase spreading and morphological changes; increased glycerol concentration suppresses spreading but exacerbates fragmentation on heated convex surfaces.
Conclusions:
- The convex surface offers significant advantages for droplet impact cooling.
- Surface temperature and Weber number synergistically control droplet transformations.
- Glycerol concentration and thermophysical properties critically influence droplet fragmentation, impacting thermal management strategies.
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