Dynamic behavior of water droplets on wetted superhydrophobic surfaces under a high AC electric field

Shichao Wei,Haiyun Jin,Huimin Zhou,Naikui Gao,Kunpeng Yang,Wen Li

doi:10.1063/1.5098303

Abstract

In this paper, the dynamic behavior of water droplets was investigated on wetted hydrophobic and surperhydrophobic surfaces under a high AC electric field. The droplets on superhydrophobic surface coalesced and slid off the inclined surface before the flashover occurred, while the droplets on hydrophobic surface stayed on the surface and could not roll off easily even under the breakdown field strength. Due to the behaviors of water droplets on the surfaces under the high AC electric field, the flashover voltage of the superhydrophobic surface was increased by 35.8 percent. A two-dimensional simulation model was developed to investigate the dynamic behavior of water droplets on surperhydrophobic surface. The results showed that, the adjacent water droplets were elongated and a liquid bridge was formed between the droplets under electric field. The coalescence of water droplets was impelled by the surface tension force and electric force.

Highlights

Inspired by nature, superhydrophobic surfaces with excellent superhydrophobicity and selfcleaning properties have been attracted many researchers.[24–26]
Water droplets can roll off from superhydrophobic surface owing to the low contact angle hysteresis
A few studies focused on the wetted hydrophobic surfaces under electric field scitation.org/journal/adv were reported,[31–34] it was not enough to explain the dynamic behavior of water droplets on wetted superhydrophobic surfaces under high voltage environment

Summary

Introduction

Inspired by nature (e.g., lotus leaves, cicada’s wing), superhydrophobic surfaces with excellent superhydrophobicity and selfcleaning properties have been attracted many researchers.[24–26]. Dynamic behavior of water droplets on wetted superhydrophobic surfaces under a high AC electric field

Results

Conclusion