How solid surface free energy determines coalescence-induced nanodroplet jumping: A molecular dynamics investigation

• DOI: 10.1063/1.5004516
• Publication Date: 2017-12-27T18:16:43Z
• Authors: Qiang Sheng; Jie Sun; Wen Wang; Hua Sheng Wang; Colin G. Bailey
• Keywords: Coalescence (physics); Solid surface

Molecular dynamics simulation is performed to investigate how solid surface free energy determines the coalescence-induced jumping of nanodroplet on superhydrophobic surfaces. The nanodroplet-jumping found highly sensitive represented by fluid-solid bonding strength parameter β. coalesced-nanodroplet fails jump off when β 0.15 (contact angle being 145°) while succeeds 0.05 175°). We find that a small proportion (ca. 2%–4%) released in both cases eventually converted kinetic direction, which same order as conversion efficiency previously predicted for microdroplets. A lower decreases viscous and interfacial dissipation hence increases leads sufficient direction up. Our results also address importance liquid-solid interaction nanodroplets determination minimum size nanodroplets.