Water droplet impact on superhydrophobic surfaces with microstructures and hierarchical roughness

Abstract

Quantitative correlation between the critical impact velocity of droplet and geometry of superhydrophobic surfaces with microstructures is systematically studied. Experimental data shows that the critical impact velocity induced wetting transition of droplet on the superhydrophobic surfaces is strongly determined by the perimeter of single micropillar, the space between the repeat pillars and the advancing contact angle of the sidewall of the micropillars. The proposed model agrees well with the experimental results, and clarifies that the underlying mechanism which is responsible for the superhydrophobic surface with hierarchical roughness could sustain a higher liquid pressure than the surfaces with microstructures.