Modeling the Effect of External Electric Fields on the Dynamics of a Confined Water Nano-Droplet

Abstract

The effects of the application of constant electric fields on the dynamics of a confined water droplet between two different surfaces are investigated, by using a molecular dynamics method. It is found that the water molecules responded to the electric field, which partially depends on the wettability of the different surfaces. The results reveal that the application of external electric fields causes to create extra pressure on the surfaces, which are theoretically justified. The induced pressure could be experienced by multilayer nano-filters, which are used in desalination processes, with the aid of an external electric field, and may reduce the water filters shelf life.

Nano-droplet jumping due to surface wettability variation: molecular modeling approach

“…7,12,14,18 In some research, it has been reported that the shape of water droplets can be deformed under the application of a suitable electric field. 7,19,20 In our previous study, it was shown that the behavior of a nano-droplet on a graphene surface can be influenced by the application of both constant and oscillating external electric fields. 20 Shen et al 21 considered the effect of surface wettability gradients on the dynamics of droplets, and they demonstrated droplet movement along the substrate gradient direction due to the non-uniform surface tension on the perimeter of a droplet base, which applied a directional force on the droplet.…”