The Effect of Honeycomb-Structured Hydrophilic–Hydrophobic Mixed Surfaces on the Spreading Process of Liquid Droplets

Zhu, Chenyue; Alston, Mark; Yan, Yuying

Abstract

Honeycomb-structured, mixed-wettability surfaces have attracted significant attention due to their potential for tailoring surface properties and controlling fluid dynamics at the nanoscale. However, the underlying mechanisms governing droplet spreading and wettability modulation remain insufficiently understood. This study, using molecular dynamics simulations, reveals that periodic hydrophilic–hydrophobic areas within honeycomb structures induce unique oscillatory spreading behaviors and allow the precise modulation of equilibrium contact angles. The findings demonstrate that honeycomb designs can effectively transition surfaces between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states, with practical applications in boiling heat transfer, thermal management, and advanced materials development.

Citation

Zhu, C., Alston, M., & Yan, Y. (2025). The Effect of Honeycomb-Structured Hydrophilic–Hydrophobic Mixed Surfaces on the Spreading Process of Liquid Droplets. Biomimetics, 10(4), Article 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10040209

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 28, 2025
• Publication Date: Mar 28, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 1, 2025
• Journal: Biomimetics
• Print ISSN: 2313-7673
• Electronic ISSN: 2313-7673
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 209
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics10040209
• Keywords: honeycomb structure; molecular dynamics simulation; surface wettability
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/47119603
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/10/4/209