Special Section on “Materials Technologies for Controlling Liquid–Surface Interactions from Wetting to Icing”
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The control of liquid-surface interactions is a fundamental principle in materials science and engineering, influencing a vast array of applications, from energy systems, where tailored wettability enhances heat transfer and fluid dynamics, to biomaterials, where surface properties dictate cell adhesion, biofouling prevention, and drug delivery, liquid-surface interactions remain pivotal.Their role extends further into microfluidics, enabling precise manipulation of droplets in lab-on-a-chip devices and into stimuli-responsive materials, where controlled wetting behavior dictates adaptive and functional performance.A cornerstone in our understanding of wetting behavior was Young's equation ( 1805), which established the balance of interface forces at the three-phase contact line, defining the equilibrium contact angle of a liquid droplet on a solid substrate.Followed by the pioneering studies by Wenzel (1936) and Cassie-Baxter (1944), which further refined this knowledge by introducing wetting models that explain how surface roughness and chemistry influence liquid behavior.The Wenzel model describes liquid infiltration into textured surfaces, leading to strong adhesion, while the Cassie-Baxter model highlights the formation of air pockets on structured surfaces, resulting in extreme water repellency.These principles laid the groundwork for modern surface engineering, guiding the development of superhydrophobic coatings, icephobic materials, and adaptive wetting surfaces.Building upon these fundamentals and drawing inspiration from nature, including the hierarchical microstructures of lotus leaves, the rose petal effect, and hydrophobic adaptations in animal fur and insect legs, scientists have engineered precise wettability control to create surfaces with remarkable water management properties.These innovations have unlocked new functionalities, including self-cleaning coatings, enhanced water repellency, and responsive wetting control, with materials ranging from superhydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces to slippery liquid-infused porous films (SLIPS) and amphiphilic coatings.
Source: Advanced Engineering Materials
Authors: Anna Maria Coclite, Ana Borras
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G1622782223, G1978592386, G2262748287, Sustainable Smart De-Icing by Surface Engineering of Acoustic Waves, G2628364946, G3105035837, G3480869486, Smart surface design for efficient ice protection and control, G3681454997, G4042783231, G425668148, G434337789, G451917667, G4937468798, G495187929, G5967599077, G6120109993, G683931746, G7084143925, G8443221756
OpenAlex ID: W4412105496