Dynamics of a Water Droplet on the Heated Surface of Nano- and Micro-Structures

In this study, we investigated the dynamic behavior of a water droplet near the Leidenfrost point (LFP) of bare and modified zirconium alloy surfaces with bundles of nanotubes (∼10–100 nm) or micro mountain-like structures using high-speed photography. A deionized water droplet (6 μL) was dropped onto the sample surfaces (20 × 25 × 0.7 mm) that were heated to temperatures ranging from 250°C to the LFP. The modified zirconium alloy surfaces showed complete wetting and well-spread features at room temperature due to strong liquid spreading by the structure. The meniscus of the liquid droplet on the structured surface experienced more vigorous dynamics with intensive nucleate boiling, compared with the clean, bare surface. The cutback phenomenon was observed on the bare surface; however, the structured surfaces showed a water droplet “burst”. We observed that the LFPs were 449°C, 522°C, and 570°C, corresponding to the bare, micro-, and nano-structures, respectively.