39 / 2025-04-14 15:27:11

Droplet impact dynamics on superhydrophobic surfaces: a lattice Boltzmann study with contact angle hysteresis

Droplet; superhydrophobic surface; lattice Boltzmann

In this study, we employ a non-orthogonal multiple relaxation time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann method that incorporates contact angle hysteresis to investigate the impact behavior of droplets on a superhydrophobic wall. The dynamic response of the droplet is examined over a broad range of wall velocities and Weber numbers to capture the interplay between inertia, surface tension, and wall motion. Key metrics such as kinetic energy evolution, spreading and retraction times, as well as the tangential and normal hydrodynamic forces are analyzed in detail. The simulations reveal that increasing wall velocity not only alters the symmetry of droplet spreading but also significantly affects the force distribution and energy dissipation. These results provide novel insights into the complex fluid-structure interactions occurring during droplet impact on dynamically moving superhydrophobic surfaces. The findings have potential implications for applications in self-cleaning surfaces, heat transfer enhancement, and fluidic control in micro- and nano-scale systems.