LAUSR

Hybrid wetting surfaces have been developed to enhance condensation heat transfer, water collection and seawater desalination, due to the advantages of high droplet nucleation efficiency and excellent removal effect. However, there are still many difficulties to overcome before a simple, operable and low-cost system can be exploited in large-scale practical applications. In the present report, an applicable way to fabricate sprayable hybrid wetting coatings mixed with superhydrophobic and hydrophilic particles is described. Conventional condensation tests are carried out for comparison of the nucleation, growth, coalescence and ejection behaviors of dewdrops on a hybrid wetting surface with different hydrophilic particles. Test results showed that a hybrid wetting surface with superhydrophobic and hydrophilic particles has a higher drop number density than a homogeneous superhydrophobic surface has. As expected, this advantage was exhibited also in the water collection test.