A discussion for the formation of cassie droplet on nanostructured surface using molecular dynamics simulation. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niu, Dong; Gao, Hongtao; Yan, Yuying
• Is Part Of: Case studies in thermal engineering. Volume 25(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Condensation -- Droplet coalescence -- Molecular dynamics simulation -- Cassie droplet; Heat engineering -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.csite.2021.100976
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-157X

Abstract

Abstract: Dropwise condensation has attracted a large amount of attention due to its higher heat transfer coefficient than filmwise condensation. Droplet nucleation and growth have a significant influence on droplet state in condensation process. In this study, the molecular dynamics simulation is performed to investigate the dropwise condensation on different nanostructured surfaces. For the nanostructured surface with a high aspect ratio, all the droplets nucleate and grow inside the rough structures. Decreasing the center distance of nanostructures or increasing the heat flux could lead to a preferential growth on the up section of the nanostructures. Furthermore, the effect of droplet growth and coalescence on the transition from Wenzel state to Cassie state is investigated for a large-scale system. The simulation results show that three typical droplet state transition mode corresponding to the heat flux could be obtained.