la7b00227_si_001.pdf (181.03 kB)
Droplet Motion on a Shape Gradient Surface
journal contribution
posted on 2017-04-11, 00:00 authored by Yanfen Zheng, Jiang Cheng, Cailong Zhou, Haiting Xing, Xiufang Wen, Pihui Pi, Shouping XuWe
demonstrate a facile method to induce water droplet motion on
an wedge-shaped superhydrophobic copper surface combining with a poly(dimethylsiloxane)
(PDMS) oil layer on it. The unbalanced interfacial tension from the
shape gradient offers the actuating force. The superhydrophobicity
critically eliminates the droplet contact line pinning and the slippery
PDMS oil layer lubricates the droplet motion, which makes the droplet
move easily. The maximum velocity and furthest position of droplet
motion were recorded and found to be influenced by the gradient angle.
The mechanism of droplet motion on the shape gradient surface is systematically
discussed, and the theoretical model analysis is well matched with
the experimental results.