Synergistically Utilizing a Liquid Bridge and Interconnected Porous Superhydrophilic Structures to Achieve a One-Step Fog Collection Mode.

ABSTRACT

Conventional fog collection efficiency is subject to the inherent inefficiencies of its three constituent steps: fog capture, coalescence, and transportation. This study presents a liquid bridge synergistic fog collection system (LSFCS) by synergistically utilizing a liquid bridge and interconnected porous superhydrophilic structures (IPHS). The results indicate that the introduction of liquid bridge not only greatly accelerates water droplet transportation, but also facilitates the IPHS in maintaining rough structures that realize stable and efficient fog capture. During fog collection, the lower section of the IPHS is covered by a water layer, however due to the effect of the liquid bridge, the upper section protrudes out, while covered by a connective thin water film that does not obscure the microstructures of the upper section. Under these conditions, a one-step fog collection mode is realized. Once captured by the IPHS, fog droplets immediately coalesce with the water film, and are simultaneously transported into a container under the effect of the liquid bridge. The LSFCS achieves a collection efficiency of 6.5 kg m-2 h-1, 2.3 times that of a system without a liquid bridge. This study offers insight on improving fog collection efficiency, and holds promise for condensation water collection or droplet manipulation.