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Drop Motion on Superhydrophobic Fiber Mats

Manzo, Gabriel M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1323465810

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science in Engineering, University of Akron, Chemical Engineering.
Superhydrophobic surfaces are defined as having a water contact angle exceeding 150°. Surface wetting properties of polymers can be enhanced by creating roughness. A simple and inexpensive way to induce surface roughness is to use the technique of electrospinning to produce polymeric nanofiber mats. The roughness at the nanoscale of these surfaces enhances surface properties by lowering the surface energy and increases the water contact angle. Using the electrospinning technique, three different polymeric nanofiber mats were produced that were superhydrophobic : poly(vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), polypropylene, and poly(4-methyl-1-pentene). Since these surfaces have water contact angles above 150°, water droplets roll across the surface as near spherical droplets. Experiments were carried out to determine how much force was required to move water droplets along these surfaces in air and hydrophobic liquids. Due to the high contact angle, water droplets have low contact area with the surface which reduces the force required to move the droplets along the surface. It was determined that the force required to move drops along these hydrophobic surfaces was less than the force of gravity. Using the force balance, the drag coefficient between the water droplet and the nanofiber mat was calculated. The drag coefficient was correlated to drop’s Reynolds number and this correlation can now be used in the force balance to predict drop motion on superhydrophobic nanofiber surfaces.
George Chase, Dr. (Advisor)
Lingyun Liu, Dr. (Committee Member)
Bi-min Newby, Dr. (Committee Member)
Chemical Engineering
electrospinning; superhydrophobic; water contact angle

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Manzo, G. M. (2011). Drop Motion on Superhydrophobic Fiber Mats [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1323465810

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Manzo, Gabriel. Drop Motion on Superhydrophobic Fiber Mats. 2011. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1323465810.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Manzo, Gabriel. "Drop Motion on Superhydrophobic Fiber Mats." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1323465810

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1323465810
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© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.