Drop Behavior on Micro-Structured Superhydrophobic Coating

Superhydrophobic coatings can be made by creating a micro-sized structure on a surface providing super-repellent properties. Numerical simulation of drop dynamics and motion on a superhydrophobic surface helps us understand control and building surface textures and find optimum micro structured coatings of maximum hydrophobicity. In the present work, the dynamics of drops on superhydrophobic inclined micro-structured surfaces is studied, using a finite element method. The governing equations and important dimensionless numbers are described and a numerical algorithm is introduced. The validation of the numerical algorithm is performed by simulation of drop motion attached to an inclined surface. In addition, droplet movement on the micro structured surface is numerically simulated on smooth and microstructured surfaces in the same conditions. Comparison of the results shows the effect of microstructured coating on the surface hydrophobicity properties.