Self-cleaning mechanisms according to the wettability of the surface and deposition material

• Published in: Applied surface science 2023-07, Vol.626, p.157197, Article 157197
• Main Authors: Kim, Kihwan, Park, Hong Ryul, Kim, Ho Jun, Lee, Deaho, Ha, Sangyul, Lee, Kyungjun, Hwang, Woonbong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Contaminant deposition; Hierarchical structures; Self-cleaning effect; Self-cleaning of hydrophilic surfaces; Surface wettability
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.157197

[Display omitted] •Water droplets roll on a superhydrophobic surface to remove contaminants.•ATD was removed with water (oil) on a superhydrophobic (superoleophobic) surface.•Soot was removed with water (oil) on a superhydrophilic (superoleophobic) surface.•Self-cleaning occurs based on wettability of the liquid, contaminant, and surface. Soot deposition reduces efficiency and is difficult to remove. In this study, two self-cleaning methods were developed. First, an existing approach was modified to self-clean oleophilic soot on a superoleophobic surface using oil. The high contact angle between the surface and oil and adherence between the soot and oil caused the self-cleaning effect. A second method was a novel approach, in which hydrophobic soot on a superhydrophilic surface was self-cleaned using water. Strong adhesion between the surface and water removed the deposited soot layer, causing the self-cleaning effect. Therefore, the self-cleaning effect occurred when the wettability of the surface to the cleaning liquid was opposite to that of the contaminant.