Running droplet of interfacial chemical reaction flow

Xi Yao, Hao Bai, Jie Ju, Ding Zhou, Jing Li, Hao Zhang, Bai Yang, Lei Jiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) etching of a silicon surface is demonstrated as an efficient means to create an interfacial chemical reaction flow, thus leading to self-propelled water-droplet motion. Before and after HF etching, the silicon surface exhibits a significant free energy change, represented by the increase of water contact angle from 0 to 60°. This favors self-propelled HF droplet motion with high-speed and long-distance, and in particular enables uphill motion. Even for a HF droplet 10 microliters in volume, vertical climbing along silicon strips is permitted. By investigating the temperature-dependent motion velocity, it confirms that the velocity is in positive proportion to the HF reaction rate.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5988-5991
Number of pages4
JournalSoft Matter
Volume8
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jun 2012
Externally publishedYes

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