Enhanced stable lubrication performance by surface nanobubble morphology modulated by conical pit notch diameter

Abstract

A water-controlled ratio multisolvent evaporation method for the preparation of hydrophobic surfaces with nanocone pits of different sizes is proposed. The morphology of nanobubbles on the surface of conical pits was observed by atomic force underwater testing, revealing that the diameter of the conical pit notch is the key to influence the nanobubble morphology. The nucleation mechanism of nanobubbles due to local saturation of gases in pure water solution and the regulation mechanism of nanobubble morphology by the surface potential energy of cone pits are revealed by the molecular dynamics simulation method of alcohol-water exchange. Lubrication experiments demonstrate that surfaces with nanobubbles have a more stable high drag reduction, and the larger the nanobubble morphology the better the stable lubrication.