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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 their behavior and heat transfer on curved, hydrophobic surfaces.
Area of Science:
- * Fluid Dynamics
- * Heat Transfer
- * Materials Science
Background:
- * Efficient thermal management is crucial for high-power electronic devices.
- * Droplet impact boiling offers exceptional heat transfer capabilities.
- * Understanding alcohol droplet impacts on curved surfaces is key for spray cooling and multiphase flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the impact dynamics and heat transfer of binary solution droplets (water-ethanol with glycerol) on curved surfaces.
- * To analyze the influence of surface morphology, wettability, temperature, and impact height.
- * To explore the role of glycerol concentration on droplet behavior and fragmentation.
Main Methods:
- * Combined experimental and numerical simulation approaches.
- * Analysis of droplet impact dynamics and heat transfer mechanisms.
- * Parametric study involving surface morphology (flat, concave, convex), wettability, temperature, and impact height.
Main Results:
- * Convex surfaces promote droplet spreading and rebound, outperforming flat and concave surfaces.
- * Hydrophobic convex surfaces enhance bouncing and suppress spreading.
- * Synergistic effects of convex surface, temperature, and Weber number create five distinct impact regimes, intensifying heat transfer.
- * Higher Weber numbers increase spreading, morphological changes, and bouncing.
- * Increased glycerol concentration suppresses spreading but exacerbates breakup on heated convex surfaces.
Conclusions:
- * Convex, hydrophobic surfaces combined with optimal temperature significantly enhance droplet cooling efficiency.
- * Glycerol concentration and droplet thermophysical properties critically influence fragmentation and impact behavior.
- * The study provides insights into optimizing spray cooling and understanding multiphase flow for advanced thermal management.
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