Narrow Results

In this paper, it is described that the motion of water droplets on the hydrophobic surface of ZnO nanorod array impregnated lubricant, is called slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS). The energy gradient required to induce the motion of the droplets is created on the boundary of superhydrophobic ZnO nanorod array and SLIPS. Because of the lower viscous force of SLIPS, the water droplet can rapidly move for longer distance on the surface. In view of changing the release distance of water droplet, the mechanism for the rapid movement is discussed. The results indicate that the movement distance of water droplet markedly increases with the increasing of the release distance. Because the potential energy of the height is converted into kinetic energy, the water droplet intensively collides the interface between ZnO nanorod array and SLIPS. This impact makes the water droplet distort, which enhances the driving force. These new findings will not only deepen our understanding of the relationship between surface structure and dynamic wetting properties, but also afford the new notion and beneficial reference for designing liquid droplet transportation devices in micro-fluidic systems.