Crystallization-based Preparation Method of Polymer Systems for Temperature-responsive Control of Water Droplets

초록

Water supply is needed for the applications of microfluidic systems, triboelectric generators, self-cleaning systems on specific surfaces, etc. Especially, in the cases of self-cleaning technology, the surfaces of super-hydrophobic property are mainly used for cleaning by rainwater. However, in a region where rain is not frequent, periodic cleaning is impossible. In this study, we implemented a rolling water droplets system in which a thermosensitive hydrogel and a super hydrophobic substrate are used together. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel having a lower critical solution temperature at about 32 degrees C and a crystallization-based method of preparing a superhydrophobic substrate were used. The fabricated system was able to successfully generate droplets and water flow on the superhydrophobic substrate in response to repeated temperature changes. This rolling water droplet system is a new water flow system that responds to temperature changes and can be effectively applied to a variety of future technologies.

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