Single bubble dynamics on superheated superhydrophobic surfaces

• We study single bubble dynamics and pool boiling on superhydrophobic surfaces.
• A smooth boiling curve without CHF and Leidenfrost point is observed.
• Saturation of bubble growth rate and departure frequency plateau are discovered.
• We relate boiling heat transfer and bubble dynamics using heat partitioning model.
• Both latent heat transport and bulk convection contribute to the heat removal.

This work explores single bubble dynamics on superheated superhydrophobic surfaces and the corresponding heat transfer mechanism of water pool boiling. The superhydrophobic surfaces are prepared by coating a thin layer of polytetrafluoroethylene on top of silicon substrates with electroless etched silicon nanowires. It is observed that a vapor film covers the whole superhydrophobic surface when it is immersed in water. Once the surface is superheated, single bubble forms and departs from the vapor film. We find that the bubble growth rate shows little dependence on surface superheat and applied heat flux at large superheats due to the presence of the vapor layer, which seriously limits the heat transfer from the superheated superhydrophobic surface. The bubble departure diameter is mainly determined by the static force equilibrium, but local disturbance and surface superheat also play important roles. There is a plateau of bubble departure frequency at large superheats, which is a result of the constant departure velocity limit. Accompanying the continuous bubble formation and departure, a smooth boiling curve is observed. The corresponding heat transfer coefficient (HTC) first increases and then slowly decreases as the superheat increases, showing a peak at a superheat of ∼50 K. Such HTC change is explained by the heat flux partitioning model, suggesting latent heat transport due to water vaporization and bulk liquid water convection after bubble departure contribute together to the heat removal on superhydrophobic surfaces. Insights gained from pool boiling on superhydrophobic surfaces might provide design guidelines for new surfaces excellent in heat removal or hydrodynamic drag reduction.