Fundamentals and Applications of Surface Wetting.

In an era defined by an insatiable thirst for sustainable energy solutions, responsible water management, and cutting-edge lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, surface wettability plays a pivotal role in these fields. The seamless integration of fundamental research and the following demonstration of applications on these groundbreaking technologies hinges on manipulating fluid through surface wettability, significantly optimizing performance, enhancing efficiency, and advancing overall sustainability. This Review explores the behavior of liquids when they engage with engineered surfaces, delving into the far-reaching implications of these interactions in various applications. Specifically, we explore surface wetting, dissecting it into three distinctive facets. First, we delve into the fundamental principles that underpin surface wetting. Next, we navigate the intricate liquid-surface interactions, unraveling the complex interplay of various fluid dynamics, as well as heat- and mass-transport mechanisms. Finally, we report on the practical realm, where we scrutinize the myriad applications of these principles in everyday processes and real-world scenarios.

Wicking assisted condenser platform with patterned wettability for space application.

Vapor condensation is extensively used in applications that demand the exchange of a substantial amount of heat energy or the vapor-liquid phase conversion. In conventional condensers, the condensate removal from a subcooled surface is caused by gravity force. This restricts the use of such condensers in space applications or horizontal orientations. The current study demonstrates proof-of-concept of a novel plate-type condenser platform for passively removing condensate from a horizontally oriented surface to the surrounding wicking reservoir without gravity. The condensing surface is engineered with patterned wettabilities, which enables the continuous migration of condensate from the inner region of the condenser surface to the side edges via surface energy gradient. The surrounding wicking reservoir facilitates the continuous absorption of condensate from the side edges. The condensation dynamics on different substrates with patterned wettabilities are investigated, and their condensation heat transfer performance is compared. The continuous migration of condensate drops from a superhydrophobic to a superhydrophilic area can rejuvenate the nucleation sites in the superhydrophobic area, resulting in increased heat transport. The proposed condenser design with engineered wettability can be used for temperature and humidity management applications in space.

Preferred Mode of Atmospheric Water Vapor Condensation on Nanoengineered Surfaces: Dropwise or Filmwise?

Condensing atmospheric water vapor on surfaces is a sustainable approach to addressing the potable water crisis. However, despite extensive research, a key question remains: what is the optimal combination of the mode and mechanism of condensation as well as the surface wettability for the best possible water harvesting efficacy? Here, we show how various modes of condensation fare differently in a humid air environment. During condensation from humid air, it is important to note that the thermal resistance across the condensate is nondominant, and the energy transfer is controlled by vapor diffusion across the boundary layer and condensate drainage from the condenser surface. This implies that, unlike condensation from pure steam, filmwise condensation from humid air would exhibit the highest water collection efficiency on superhydrophilic surfaces. To demonstrate this, we measured the condensation rates on different sets of superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces that were cooled below the dew points using a Peltier cooler. Experiments were performed over a wide range of degrees of subcooling (10-26 °C) and humidity-ratio differences (5-45 g/kg of dry air). Depending upon the thermodynamic parameters, the condensation rate is found to be 57-333% higher on the superhydrophilic surfaces compared to the superhydrophobic ones. The findings of the study dispel ambiguity about the preferred mode of vapor condensation from humid air on wettability-engineered surfaces and lead to the design of efficient atmospheric water harvesting systems.

Condensation of Humid Air on Superhydrophobic Surfaces: Effect of Nanocoatings on a Hierarchical Interface.

Vapor condensation is a well-known phase-change phenomenon observed in nature as well as in different industrial applications. Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) with low hysteresis can efficiently drain off the condensate and rejuvenate the nucleation sites further. In this work, three distinct SHSs were fabricated by nanocoating three hydrophobic agents, viz., perfluoro-octyl-triethoxy-silane (PFOTS), perfluoro-octanoic-acid (PFOA), and commercial Glaco solution on a hierarchical aluminum surface. The surface morphology of all surfaces was investigated, and its effects on the wetting, droplet departure, and overall heat-transfer coefficient (HTC) during condensation phenomena in the humid air (>95% noncondensable gases) were analyzed. The contact angle hysteresis of all three surfaces was very low (∼5°); however, different wetting behaviors were observed during the condensation, depending on the adhesion of the condensate drop with nanoscale textures in the microcavities. Dropwise condensation (DWC) was observed in silane and Glaco-coated surfaces. A gravity-assisted sweeping mechanism removed the condensate from the silane-coated surface. In contrast, the condensate was ejected out of the plane of the Glaco-coated surface by droplet jumping. The PFOA-coated surface has shown DWC initially and floods in the later stages due to highly pinned condensed droplets. This study reports an enhancement of ∼35 to ∼110% in the HTC for the SHS-exhibiting gravity-assisted sweeping mechanism compared to the droplet-jumping mechanism. The present work will provide substantial insights into the fabrication of efficient hierarchical interfaces for water-energy nexus applications.