Purging of dropwise condensate by electrowetting

Abstract

The onset of motion of a dropwise condensate (on inclined substrate) under applied direct current potential (with an overhanging electrode) is studied experimentally and described based on overcoming of the static three-phase contact line (TCL) friction by electrowetting. Electrowetting phenomenon exerts a radial electrostatic force on the TCL, causing an imbalance in the TCL surface tension forces, thus initiating the surface droplet motion (by an applied threshold, local electric field intensity). The experimental results using overhanging wire electrodes have identified three regimes (gravity dominated, intermediate, and surface force dominated) and show significant lowering of the critical inclination angle for the liquid droplet. In the intermediate Bond number regime (both gravity and surface liquid-gas tension are significant), the critical (for onset of motion) electrostatic potential is predicted and good agreement is found with experiments.