Abstract
The autonomous and directional transport of microdroplets is critical to the development of self-powered droplet-based microfluidic devices. So far the studies on the self-transport of droplets have employed chemically inhomogeneous surfaces. Remarkably, we observed the self-propulsion of aqueous droplets on a chemically homogeneous superhydrophilic surface. The self-transport phenomenon is attributed to the existence of a precursor layer between droplet and surface that minimizes contact line pinning and droplet is driven by a net force owing to the asymmetry in the precursor layer width across droplet. We provide a theoretical model considering the electrostatic, capillary, and evaporation induced forces to quantitatively predict transport velocity which is in good agreement with experimental observations. The effect of droplet volume, surface roughness, relative humidity, and composition on the droplet velocity is studied. We demonstrated the directional self-transport and coalescence of droplets on a superhydrophilic track in a superhydrophobic background and the self-transport of droplets containing biological cells depicting biological cargos.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
