The effect of surface structures on evaporation and free convection in evaporating sessile drops

Abstract

Abstract The effect of various surface structures of the AlMg6 aluminum-magnesium alloy on the evaporation rate and convection in a sessile droplet was experimentally studied. Structures on the surface were created using laser exposure. The evaporation of water droplets on heated structured surfaces was compared with a smooth wall. The wall temperature Tw = 68 °C. The data obtained for the evaporation rate without taking into account the diameter of the droplet base for a structured hydrophilic surface is 11-13% higher than for a smooth surface. The difference between structured hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces was 4-6%. The strongest effect of convection enhancement was observed for a structured hydrophobic surface.