title: Self-cleaning of Surfaces: the Role of Surface Wettability and Dust Types.
abstract: The self-cleaning property is usually connected to superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) where the dust particles can be easily removed by the rolling motion of droplets. It seems that superhydrophobicity (its durability is questionable nowadays) is a necessity. However here, it is disclosed that self-cleaning can also be realized on an ordinary surface by droplet impinging. The effects of surface wettability and the types of dust particles are considered. The self-cleaning is realized by two steps: (1) the pickup of particles by the water-air interface of an impinging droplet, (2) the release of the impinging droplets from the surface. It can be observed that only the trailing edges of the droplets can pick up particles when the droplets recoil from the inclined surfaces. The hydrophilic surface can also achieve self-cleaning under some conditions. This interesting finding may be helpful for the successful implementation of self-cleaning with common surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation of Education Ministry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
authors.forename: Yun-Yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation of Education Ministry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.|State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
authors.forename: Li-Zhi
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation of Education Ministry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
authors.forename: Rong-Hui
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Enhanced Heat Transfer and Energy Conservation of Education Ministry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
authors.forename: Rong-Rong
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Cai