Fabrication, characterization, and wettability analysis of a microstructured hybrid hydrophobic/hydrophilic surface

This thesis explores the effects of surface chemistry and geometry on wettability of Hybrid Surfaces. The Hybrid Surfaces are composed of many micropillars with hydrophobic sidewalls and hydrophilic tops. The surfaces are designed with stable dropwise condensation in mind, which can increase heat fluxes by an order of magnitude over those of filmwise condensation. Based on the literature and technical constraints on fabrication, four Hybrid Surfaces are designed, fabricated, characterized and tested for wettability. A model based on energy minimization is referenced and fits well to the experimental data. Experiments suggest a composite interface for droplets resting on the surface due to increasing advancing and receding angles with tower spacing. Future work is anticipated to include droplet nucleation and growth experiments, and quantification of the thermal performance during condensation.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Garvin, Timothy

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jacobi, Anthony M.

• Hydrophobic
• Hydrophilic
• Hybrid Surface
• Wettability
• Condensation
• Dropwise Condensation
• Contact Angle
• Microscale

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2012 Timothy P. Garvin

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/31121

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/31121