Numerical and analytical study of the impinging and bouncing phenomena of droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces with microtextured structures.

The dynamics of droplets impinging on different microtextured superhydrophobic surfaces are modeled with CFD combined with VOF (Volume of Fluid) technique. The method is validated by experimental data and an analytical model (AM) that is used to predict the penetrating depth and the maximum spreading diameter of an impinging droplet. The effects of geometrical shapes and operating conditions on the spreading and bouncing behaviors of impinging droplets are investigated. Six surfaces with different shapes of pillars are considered, namely, triangular prism, square pillar, pentagonal prism, cylindrical pillar, and crisscross pillar surfaces. The bouncing ability of an impinging droplet on textured surfaces can be illustrated from three aspects, namely, the contact time, the ranges of velocities for rebound and the penetrating depth of liquid in the maximum spreading stage. The surface with crisscross pillars exhibits the best ability to rebound, which can be attributed to its large capillary pressure (PC) and its special structures that can capture air in the gaps during the impinging process.