Nanodroplet Depinning from Nanoparticles.
Nanoscale defects on a substrate affect the sliding motion of water droplets. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy imaging, we visualized the depinning dynamics of water nanodroplets from gold nanoparticles on a flat SiNx surface. Our observations showed that nanoscale pinning effects of the gold nanoparticle oppose the lateral forces, resulting in stretching, even breakup, of the water nanodroplet. Using continuum long wave theory, we modeled the dynamics of a nanodroplet depinning from a nanoparticle of comparable length scales, and the model results are consistent with experimental findings and show formation of a capillary bridge prior to nanodroplet depinning. Our findings have important implications on surface cleaning at the nanoscale.
Department of Physics, National University of Singapore , 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117551.|Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore , 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore , Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.|Nanocore, National University of Singapore , 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576.
Qi
Q
Liu
A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing , 1 Fusionopolis Way, Connexis, Singapore 138632.
Fong Yew
FY
Leong
Department of Physics, National University of Singapore , 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117551.|Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore , 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore , Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.|Nanocore, National University of Singapore , 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576.
Zainul
Z
Aabdin
Department of Physics, National University of Singapore , 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117551.|Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore , 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore , Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.|Nanocore, National University of Singapore , 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576.
Utkarsh
U
Anand
A*STAR Institute of High Performance Computing , 1 Fusionopolis Way, Connexis, Singapore 138632.
Tran
T
Si Bui Quang
Department of Physics, National University of Singapore , 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117551.|Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore , 6 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117546.|Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore , Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543.|Nanocore, National University of Singapore , 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576.
Utkur
U
Mirsaidov
droplet pinning; in situ TEM; interfacial liquid; interfacial water; nanodroplet; three-phase contact line