Droplet rolling angle model of micro-nanostructure superhydrophobic coating surface.

ABSTRACT

The droplet rolling angle is one of the important indicators to measure the coating's hydrophobic performance, but the specific factors affecting the droplet rolling angle on the micro-nanostructured superhydrophobic coating surface are not yet known. Based on the rolling mechanism of droplets on rough surfaces, and from the perspective of coating microscopic energy conservation, this paper points out that the micron-scale morphology and the nanoscale morphology can comprehensively affect the droplet rolling angle. From the above perspective, a mathematical model of the droplet rolling angle on the micro-nanostructure superhydrophobic coating surface was established. The model shows that the droplet rolling angle is positively correlated with the ratio of nano-sized pillar width to spacing, the ratio of micron-sized papilla radius to spacing, and the liquid-gas interfacial tension, and is negatively correlated to the droplet intrinsic contact angle, droplet volume and droplet density. The droplet rolling angle calculated by the presented model is in good agreement with the experimentally tested results. This model can provide good accuracy in predicting the droplet rolling angle on the micro-nanostructured superhydrophobic coating surface.