Stable water droplets on composite structures formed by embedded water into fully hydroxylatedβ-cristobalite silica

• 来源期刊: 中国物理B（英文版）
• 年，卷（期）: 2021,（1）
• 页码范围: 215-221
• 页数: 7页
• 语种: 英文
• DOI: 10.1088/1674-1056/abc2b7

摘要

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we have revealed a novel wetting phenomenon with a droplet on composite structures formed by embedded water into (111) surface ofβ-cristobalite hydroxylated silica. This can be attributed to the formation of a composite structure composed of embedded water molecules and the surface hydroxyl (-OH) groups, which reduces the number of hydrogen bonds between the composite structure and the water droplet above the composite structure. Interestingly, a small uniform strain (±3％) applied to the crystal lattice of the hydroxylated silica surface can result in a notable change of the contact angles (>40°) on the surface. The finding provides new insights into the correlation between the molecular-scale interfacial water structures and the macroscopic wettability of the hydroxylated silica surface.