A lattice Boltzmann simulation of coalescence-induced droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surfaces

Abstract

Abstract The coalescence-induced droplet jumping on superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) observed in nature plays a significant role in energy and environmental applications. By using a three-dimensional chemical-potential-based multiphase lattice Boltzmann model, the coalescence-induced jumping of two droplets and multidroplet are systematically simulated and analysed. The results show that the size and the number of droplets and the characteristics of pillared SHSs have a strong influence on the droplet behaviour. The coalesced droplet could only jump under appropriate droplet size and characteristic parameters of SHSs. Furthermore, coalesced droplets are more likely to jump and jump higher on SHSs with larger contact angle and pillar height and smaller distance between two pillars. This work will contribute to understand the phenomenon of the coalescence-induced droplet jumping and provide theoretical guidelines for the design of new SHSs.