Optimizing fiber cross-sectional shape for improving stability of air–water interface over superhydrophobic fibrous coatings

Authors

B. Emami, Virginia Commonwealth University
Hooman Vahedi Tafreshi, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2012

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Applied Physics Letters

Volume

100

Issue

19

DOI of Original Publication

10.1063/1.4711800

Comments

Originally published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4711800

Date of Submission

March 2015

Abstract

In this letter, a mathematical force-balance formulation is developed that can be used to predict the critical pressure, the hydrostaticpressure above which the surface starts to depart from the non-wetting state, for superhydrophobicsurfaces comprised of highly aligned fibers (e.g., biased AC-electrospun coatings) with arbitrary cross-sectional shapes. We have also developed a methodology for optimizing the fiber cross-sections to maximize the critical pressure of the surface, using the Euler–Lagrange equation. A case study is presented to better demonstrate the application of our method.

Rights

Emami, B. and Tafreshi, H.V. Optimizing fiber cross-sectional shape for improving stability of air–water interface over superhydrophobic fibrous coatings. Applied Physics Letters, 100, 193104 (2012). Copyright © 2012 AIP Publishing LLC.

Is Part Of

VCU Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Publications