Electric Field Induced Dewetting of Hydrophobic Nanocavities at Ambient Temperature

Abstract

The understanding of water dewetting in nanoporous materials is of great importance in various fields of science and technology. Herein, we report molecular dynamics simulation results of dewetting of water droplet in hydrophobic nanocavities between graphene walls under the influence of electric field. At ambient temperature, the rate of dewetting induced by electric field is significantly large. Whereas, it is a very low rate of dewetting induced by high temperature (423 K) due to the strong interaction of the hydrogen-bonding networks of water droplets in nanocavities. In addition, the electric filed induced formation of a water column has been found in a vacuum chamber. When the electric field is turned off, the water column will transform into a water droplet. Importantly, the results demonstrate that the rate of electric field-induced dewetting increases with growth of the electric field. Overall, our results suggest that electric field may have a great potential application for nanomaterial dewetting.

Manipulation of a Nonconductive Droplet in an Aqueous Fluid with AC Electric Fields: Droplet Dewetting, Oscillation, and Detachment

“…For a sensible droplet, dewetting refers to the spontaneous withdrawal of the interface from the hostile surface and can be seen as the reverse process of spreading the droplet on the substrate . At present, electrically induced droplet dewetting can be realized via two strategies: the electroperturbation method − and electrodewetting method. − The electroperturbation method is usually applied to thin liquid films. , Spatial variation of the electric field and its gradient disturb the thin film and reduce the surface energy of the system, causing the thin film to recede and partial dewetting of the substrate. , In electric fields, polar molecules, for example, water, could be polarized. The polarization effect can also be utilized for the transportation of water molecules and then induces dewetting .…”

“…The polarization effect can also be utilized for the transportation of water molecules and then induces dewetting. 34 The electrodewetting method is much more complicated. One common way is to prestretch the droplet on the substrate using traditional EW.…”