Single Mobile Micro Droplet-Particle Pairs Spatially Captured by Macro Host Droplets on a Superhydrophobic Surface

Gregory S Watson,Bronwen W Cribb,Jolanta A Watson

doi:10.1155/2015/801547

Gregory S Watson, Bronwen W Cribb + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/801547

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Abstract

In this preliminary study, we demonstrate how small single water droplets can be spatially captured on the surface of individual micron sized hydrophobic coated particles (C18) which adhere to the surface of a nonmobile larger host water droplet resting on a superhydrophobic surface. The formation of the larger droplet, particle adhesion to that droplet, and smaller droplet formation on the particle all take place spontaneously from condensation conditions. These micro droplet-particle pairs are confined to the surface (liquid-air interface) of the larger host droplet; however, they are free to engage with external forces to promote mobility. This response may find applications for particle pair transport on liquid surfaces. We also demonstrate that droplets can be captured or removed from the larger droplet surface via a self-propulsion mechanism.

Highlights

The capture, confinement, positioning, and controlled motion of micron and nanosized solid particles and droplets are of interest from both scientific and industrial perspectives
We show that partially and sparsely covered liquid marbles consisting of micro droplet-particle pairs can be formed by condensation on a superhydrophobic (SH) surface
X-ray Photon Electron Spectroscopy (XPS) data of our surface indicates keratin is the key component of the surface regions where detailed scans showed binding energies of nitrogen and sulphur consistent with an organic environment

Summary

Introduction

The capture, confinement, positioning, and controlled motion of micron and nanosized solid particles and droplets are of interest from both scientific and industrial perspectives. Recent studies have explored the formation of particle films which can encapsulate a liquid forming a soft solid (liquid marble) [2,3,4]. These types of structures have many interesting properties and aspects such as mechanical robustness [5] and an ability to be supported above the water/marble interface [6]. Such properties make them ideal candidates for numerous applications [7,8,9] and interfacial studies [10, 11]. A recent study has shown the formation of these particle films via condensation methods [15]

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