Dynamic\nMelting of Freezing Droplets on Ultraslippery Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Abstract

Condensed droplet freezing and freezing\ndroplet melting phenomena on the prepared ultraslippery superhydrophobic\nsurface were observed and discussed in this study. Although the freezing\ndelay performance of the surface is common, the melting of the freezing\ndroplets on the surface is quite interesting. Three self-propelled\nmovements of the melting droplets (ice– water mixture) were\nfound including the droplet rotating, the droplet jumping, and the\ndroplet sliding. The melting droplet rotating, which means that the\nmelting droplet rotates spontaneously on the superhydrophobic surface\nlike a spinning top, is first reported in this study and may have\nsome potential applications in various engineering fields. The melting\ndroplet jumping and sliding are similar to those occurring during\ncondensation but have larger size scale and motion scale, as the melting\ndroplets have extra-large specific surface area with much more surface\nenergy available. These self-propelled movements make all the melting\ndroplets on the superhydrophobic surface dynamic, easily removed,\nwhich may be promising for the anti-icing/frosting applications.