Electron beam heating effects during ESEM imaging of water condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces

Published

March 1, 2011

Author(s)

Konrad Rykaczewski, John H. Scott, Andrei G. Fedorov

Abstract

Nanostructured superhydrophobic surfaces show promise as promoters of dropwise condensation and may lead to significant efficiency improvements in numerous industrial processes. Droplets with diameters below ~10 µm account for the majority of the heat transferred during dropwise condensation but their growth dynamics on superhydrophobic surfaces have not been systematically studied. Due to the small droplet size, the dynamic nature of the process, and the complex topography of the surface, Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy (ESEM) is the only method capable of capturing the growth dynamics of droplets in the sub-10 µm regime. By studying electron beam heating effects on condensed water droplets we establish a magnification limit below which the heating effects are negligible and use this insight to study the mechanism of individual drop growth.

Citation

Applied Physics Letters

Volume

98

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

ESEM, condensation, nanostructures, superhydrophobic

Citation

Rykaczewski, K. , Scott, J. and Fedorov, A. (2011), Electron beam heating effects during ESEM imaging of water condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces, Applied Physics Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=907573 (Accessed April 24, 2024)