Mobility of trapped droplets within porous surfaces

Abstract

Droplet mobility is essential in a wide range of engineering applications, e.g., fog collection and self-cleaning surfaces. For structured surfaces to achieve superhydrophobicity, the removal of stains adhered within the microscale surface features strongly determines the functional performance and durability. In this study, we numerically investigate the mobility of the droplet trapped within porous surfaces. Through simulations covering a wide range of flow conditions and porous geometries, three droplet mobility modes are identified, i.e., the stick–slip, crossover, and slugging modes. To quantitatively characterise the droplet dynamics, we propose a droplet-scale capillary number that considers the driving force and capillary resistance. By comparing against the simulation results, the proposed dimensionless number presents a strong correlation with the leftover volume. The dominating mechanisms revealed in this study provide a basis for further research on enhancing surface cleaning and optimising design of anti-fouling surfaces.