Advancement of Analytical Model for Hydrophobic Rectangular Pillared Array on Al-Surface and Its Experimental Validation

Abstract

Over the past few decades, self-cleaning surfaces have been significantly investigated due to their commercial applications in various fields. However, the researchers are still lagging in developing better mathematical models and fabricating hydrophobic surfaces for direct espousal in industry. In this study, a force-balanced system-based mathematical model is modified for a rectangular pillared array-based micro-structure and MATLAB simulations were used to validate it theoretically. The same pattern was developed on Al-surface using a single-point diamond turning (SPDT) machine experimentally. The experimental results were validated using coherence correlation interferometry (CCI), optical microscopy, drop shape analyser (DSA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The experimentally estimated and theoretically predicted contact angles of the rectangular pillared array are found in close agreement. Further, the advancement in mathematical models and models-based surface manufacturing strategies can boost the research in this domain to develop robust self-cleaning hydrophobic surfaces.