Experimental insights into droplet behavior on Van der Waals and non-Van der Waals liquid-impregnated surfaces

Droplet impact is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs when a liquid droplet collides with a surface. It is not only a fundamental area of scientific inquiry but also has practical implications across many industries and natural systems. The dynamics during droplet impact on liquid-impregnated surfaces (LIS) are of special interest because the properties of the surface and impregnated liquid may significantly change the impact outcome. We present a detailed study of the impact and subsequent retraction of liquid droplets on a liquid-impregnated surface using high-speed imagery. Square-shaped textures with varying post-spacings of 5, 20, and 30 μm on a silicon wafer were fabricated and functionalized using octadecyltrichlorosilane. Two different lubricants, silicone oil and hexadecane, were infused to investigate how their properties affect impact dynamics. Droplet impacts were investigated on these surfaces across a broad range of Weber numbers, i.e., (28–495). Additionally, we measured the stability of the LIS surface by calculating spreading coefficients and contact angles. The experiments revealed that the properties of the infused oil play an insignificant role in droplet dynamics, including spreading, rebound, and unique phenomena related to oil interaction with surface textures. This study provides insights into the intricate dynamics of droplet interactions with LIS, offering valuable contributions to understanding surface-wetting phenomena.