Elucidating the mechanisms behind the boiling heat transfer enhancement using nano-structured surface coatings

Boiling heat transfer is a useful and efficient heat transfer process for high heat dissipating applications. Recent developments in altering the surface morphology by coating microscale and nanoscale structures have led to remarkable enhancement in two-phase heat transfer performance. This study reviews the recent experimental investigations performed on the boiling heat transfer enhancement using surface coatings and the mechanism behind the enhancement. Surface coatings will increase the critical heat flux (CHF) and the boiling heat transfer coefficient (HTC) by producing porous, finned, hydrophilic, and hybrid patterns over the surface. A comprehensive overview of recent investigations into the effects of surface coatings on bubble dynamics is also included in this paper.