Search

Reducing the contact time of impacting nanodroplets is of fundamental interest and importance due to its promising potential in various engineering applications, such as self-cleaning and anti-icing. In this work, nanodroplets impacting superhydrophobic surfaces decorated by a rectangular ridge are studied over a wide range of Weber number (We) and different sizes of the ridge via molecular dynamics. Six bouncing modes have been distinguished. The usage of the rectangular ridge significantly enhances the bouncing performance of nanodroplets, including enlarging the We range for bouncing and reducing the contact time. It is especially found that the rectangular ridge leads to an increased contact time compared with the flat surface in the moderate We region. The underlying mechanism of the differential effect of the rectangular ridge on the contact time is compressively elucidated by the retraction dynamics of distinct bouncing modes. Subsequently, the retraction models considering different retraction characteristics are developed for the unsplit case. To promote a universal understanding of the effect of the ridge on the retraction dynamics of nanodroplets, several typical ridge shapes (triangular, cylinder, and semi-circular) are further considered. The retraction models are extended and verified to consider the effect of the ridge shape by introducing the equivalent structure parameters. Based on such a universal understanding, a newly designed shoot-shaped ridge is proposed and can considerably reduce the contact time of unsplit nanodroplets in the moderate We region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On nanopillar-arrayed superhydrophobic surfaces, the contact time of oblique nanodroplet impacts is for the first time investigated via molecular dynamics simulations. Here, oblique nanodroplet impacts are triggered by nanodroplets impacting superhydrophobic surfaces under various impact angles, α. The simulation results show that owing to the non-axisymmetry of spreading factors on nanopillar-arrayed superhydrophobic surfaces, the contact time of oblique nanodroplet impacts is always less on nanopillar-arrayed rather than smooth superhydrophobic surfaces under same impact angles. As the impact angle is increased from 5° to 65°, that is, under different impact conditions, the non-axisymmetry is more remarkable as α > 35° instead of α < 35° at the low, medium, and high normal Weber numbers, Wen. Hence, the contact time is sharp as α > 35° and then slowly reduced as α < 35° at the low, medium, and high Wen, at which the drastically increased sliding length as α > 35° further promotes the rapid reduction in contact time. As the impact angle is constant at 35°, the non-axisymmetry is more remarkable as h/w < 1 instead of h/w > 1 as the aspect ratio of nanopillars, h/w, is increased, that is, under different surface conditions. Hence, the contact time is sharp as h/w < 1 and then slowly reduced as h/w > 1 at the low, medium, and high Wen, at which the drastically reduced sliding length as h/w > 1 further hinders the rapid reduction in contact time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanodroplet impacts have attracted significant attention, while the effect of surface wettability on contact time is evaluated poorly. Utilizing molecular dynamics simulations, the current work with a special focus on the contact time studies nanodroplets impacting solid surfaces in a wide range of static contact angles (θ0 = 105°–175°) and the Weber number (We = 0.1–200). The complete trends in contact time and restitution coefficient with surface wettability are analyzed and reported for the first time. For surfaces with θ0 > 160°, four different regimes are identified for the contact time and restitution coefficient as a function of the Weber number. For surfaces with 110° < θ0 < 160°, the fourth regime is not observed. The restitution coefficient is employed to analyze the contact time of distinct rebound patterns in the individual wettability range. Intriguingly, surface wettability has a remarkable influence on the contact time of nanodroplets even for superhydrophobic surfaces. The main reason for the difference between the macroscale and nanoscale is attributed to the significantly enhanced viscous effect and interfacial effect of the nanoscale impact. Considering the different effects of surface wettability on spreading and retraction dynamics, the theoretical models for the maximum spreading factor, spreading velocity, and retraction velocity are established. Finally, scaling laws of the spreading time τspr ∼ (R0/Vi)We2/3Re−1/3 and retraction time τret ∼ (R0/Vi)We2/3Re−1/3(1 − cos θ0)−1/2 are proposed. An excellent agreement with both the current data sources and the results in the literature verifies the universality of the current scaling law from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a rectangular-ridged superhydrophobic surface, the contact time of the rebounding-coalescing droplet is for the first time investigated via lattice Boltzmann method simulations, where the rebounding-coalescing droplet is caused by an impinging droplet coalescing with an adhesive droplet. The simulation results show that at constant initial radii of impinging droplets, R0, and various initial radii of adhesive droplets, R1, the contact time of rebounding–coalescing droplets depends not only on the impact condition but also on the surface condition. Under various impact conditions, that is, with increased Weber numbers of We = 1–30, the contact time is gradually reduced, and then nearly constant, and eventually constant after slightly reduced at R0 = 35 and R1 = 25. However, at R0 = 35 and R1 = 10, it is gradually reduced, then increased, and eventually constant. It indicates that the contact time of rebounding-coalescing droplets is affected by the initial radii of adhesive droplets. Under different surface conditions, that is, with increased spacing distances between adhesive droplets and ridges of L = 3–17, the contact time is reduced at the low Weber number of We = 3, constant at the moderate Weber number of We = 12, and increased at the high Weber number of We = 28 at R0 = 35 and R1 = 25. However, at R0 = 35 and R1 = 10, it is reduced at both low and moderate Weber numbers of We = 3 and 12, and constant at the high Weber number of We = 28. It indicates that under different surface conditions, the contact time of rebounding-coalescing droplets is also affected by the initial radii of adhesive droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The multiple droplets impact is compared under symmetrical and asymmetrical impact condition. • Distinct rebound modes are found under symmetrical and asymmetrical impact condition. • The contact time of multiple droplets impact is analyzed under various rebound modes. • The effect of angular momentums on the contact time is revealed for multiple droplets impacts. The rebound dynamics of multiple impinging droplets is investigated and compared under the symmetrical and asymmetrical impact conditions. The result shows that at various relative velocities, when multiple droplets symmetrically impinge macrotextured superhydrophobic surfaces, the rebound modes consist of the left–right non-simultaneous rebound (LRNSR), the coalescence-split simultaneous rebound (CSSR) and the right-left non-simultaneous rebound (RLNSR). With the transition of rebound modes, the contact time is first reduced under the LRNSR mode and then constant under the CSSR and RLNSR modes as the relative velocity is increased. Whereas when multiple droplets asymmetrically impinge macrotextured superhydrophobic surfaces, the rebound modes consist of the left-ridge-right rebound (LRIRR), the left–right-ridge rebound (LRRIR) and LRNSR. When the relative velocity is increased, the contact time is first reduced under the LRIRR mode and then constant under the LRRIR mode. But under the LRNSR mode, the first reduced and then constant contact time appears with increased relative-velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a single-ridge superhydrophobic surface, the rebound dynamics of double droplet impacts is investigated via lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) simulations, where one droplet is on the left of macro-ridges, whereas the other droplet being on the top of macro-ridges, leading to the asymmetrical impact of double droplets. The simulation results show that under different impact conditions of various Weber numbers, that is, at low, moderate and high Weber numbers, the rebound regime of double droplet impacts always consists of the complete-coalescence-rebound (CCR), partial-coalescence-rebound (PCR) and coalescence-split-rebound (CSR) regimes. Under these three rebound regimes, the contact time of double droplet impacts is always reduced by the increased We , as the center-to-center distances in the horizontal and vertical directions, L x and L z , are constant. At constant L x and We , the contact time of double droplet impacts on single-ridge superhydrophobic surfaces is increased by the increased L z because of the earlier formation of liquid bridges at larger L z. But under different impact conditions of various center-to-center distances in the horizontal direction, that is, at the increased L x , the rebound regime of double droplet impacts is not always composed of the CCR, PCR and CSR regimes at low, moderate and high Weber numbers. At constant We and L z , both coalescence strength and rebound regime are significantly affected by the increased L x for double droplet impacts. So that the contact time of double droplet impacts on singe-ridge superhydrophobic surfaces depends on the center-to-center distance in the horizontal direction, that is, in the x - direction. [Display omitted] • The coupling effect of droplet coalescences and droplet impacts is studied. • The influence of coupling effects on the bouncing dynamics of double droplet impacts is focused. • The influence of Weber numbers and center-center distances on the coupling effect is analyzed. • The correlations between rebound regimes and contact time is revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When nanodroplets rebound from nanopillar-arrayed superhydrophobic surfaces, the coupling influence of wetting transitions and scale effects on the bouncing dynamics is for the first time investigated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The simulation results show that two bouncing patterns, the Cassie state bouncing and the Wenzel state bouncing, are always observed on nanopillar-arrayed superhydrophobic surfaces in a wide range of We = 1.5–95 as the coupling influence is changed by various aspect ratios and surface wettability. At same Weber number, the contact time of the Cassie state bouncing is constant, but that of the Wenzel state bouncing being increased with the increased aspect ratio. However, the contact time is always increased with the increased surface wettability regardless of the bouncing pattern. Based on that, scaling laws of contact time are eventually established for these two bouncing patterns, respectively. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The influence of the surface structure features on the bouncing dynamics is revealed. • The phase diagrams of the bouncing patterns are constructed. • Theoretical models are developed to unravel the mechanisms of pancake bouncing of impacting nanodroplets on nanopillared surfaces. • The critical Weber number for triggering the pancake bouncing is proposed. Superhydrophobic surfaces that promote rapid droplet detachment in a pattern of pancake bouncing are fundamentally interesting and important in substantial applications, such as self-cleaning, anti-corrosion, and anti-icing. However, the accurate modeling of the trigger conditions and the underlying dynamic mechanism for the pancake bouncing have yet to be completed. Here, using molecular dynamics simulations, the bouncing dynamics of impacting water nanodroplets on superhydrophobic Pt surfaces with nanopillar arrays are comprehensively studied considering a wide range in the impact Weber number, solid fraction (the pillar width w is kept constant), and pillar height. Correspondingly, the phase diagrams of the bouncing patterns are constructed in the parameter space of the Weber number against the solid fraction. It has been found that there are critical values of the solid fraction and pillar height to induce the pancake bouncing at the moderate Weber number. Furthermore, a theoretical model is developed and quantitatively proclaims the dependence of nanostructure features and the critical Weber number on the pancake bouncing. This work provides rational design principles for attaining a controllable pancake bouncing on structured superhydrophobic surfaces for a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]