Growth and Departure of Condensation Microdroplets on Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Abstract eng:
This article focuses on the growth, transition, coalescence and jumping of the condensation microdroplets (< 10 µm) on the superhydrophobic substrates with two-tier roughness. We report a spontaneous dewetting transition of condensed droplets occurring on pillared surfaces with micro/nanoscale roughness, from the valleys to the tops of the pillars, owing to the nanotexture enhanced superhydrophobicity. Three novel wetting transition modes are observed. It is found that a further decreased Laplace pressure on the top side of the individual droplets accounts for such a surprising transition and self-removal of condensed water. Our results also show that decrease the size and the space of the micro pillars is a good strategy to realize spontaneous dewetting and droplet jumping.

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