Pumping and sliding of droplets steered by a hydrogel pattern for atmospheric water harvesting

Wei Zhang, Qinghua Ji, Gong Zhang, Zhenao Gu, Haozhi Wang, Chengzhi Hu, Huijuan Liu, Zhiyong Jason Ren, Jiuhui Qu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atmospheric water harvesting is an emerging strategy for decentralized and potable water supplies. However, water nucleation and microdroplet coalescence on condensing surfaces often result in surface flooding owing to the lack of a sufficient directional driving force for shedding. Herein, inspired by the fascinating properties of lizards and catfish, we present a condensing surface with engineered hydrogel patterns that enable rapid and sustainable water harvesting through the directional pumping and drag-reduced sliding of water droplets. The movement of microscale condensed droplets is synergistically driven by the surface energy gradient and difference in Laplace pressure induced by the arch hydrogel patterns. Meanwhile, the superhydrophilic hydrogel surface can strongly bond inner-layer water molecules to form a lubricant film that reduces drag and facilitates the sliding of droplets off the condensing surface. Thus, this strategy is promising for various water purification techniques based on liquid-vapor phase-change processes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbernwad334
JournalNational Science Review
Volume10
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2023
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Keywords

  • atmospheric water harvesting
  • bio-inspired
  • condensation
  • droplet manipulation

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