Functional coatings produced using scalable and cost-effective processes such as electrodeposition and etching lead to the creation of random roughness at multiple length scales on the surface. The first part of thesis work aims at developing a fundamental mathematical understanding of multiscale coatings by presenting a fractal model to describe wettability on such surfaces. These surfaces are described with a fractal asperity model based on the Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function. Using this description, a model is presented to evaluate the apparent contact angle in different wetting regimes. Experimental validation of the model predictions is presented on various hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces generated on several materials under different processing conditions.
Superhydrophobic surfaces have myriad industrial applications, yet their practical utilization has been severely limited by their poor mechanical durability and longevity. Toward addressing this gap, the second and third parts of this thesis work present low cost, facile processes to fabricate superhydrophobic copper and zinc-based coatings via electrodeposition. Additionally, systematic studies are presented on coatings fabricated under different processing conditions to demonstrate excellent durability, mechanical and underwater stability, and corrosion resistance. The presented processes can be scaled to larger, durable coatings with controllable wettability for diverse applications.
Apart from their use as superhydrophobic surfaces, the application of multiscale coatings in photo-thermal conversion systems as solar selective coatings is explored in the final part of this thesis. The effects of scale-independent fractal parameters of the coating surfaces and heat treatment are systematically explored with respect to their optical properties of absorptance, emittance, and figure of merit (FOM). / Master of Science / Coatings are extensively used through various industries and serve a range of purposes such as providing protection, changing the physical and chemical properties, decoration, and adding other new properties to the base surface. Coatings produced using scalable and cost-effective processes such as electrodeposition and etching are inherently rough and have features ranging from micro- to nano-scale, leading to their multiscale nature. The first part of thesis work aims at developing a fundamental mathematical understanding of these rough coatings by presenting a model to describe and predict the wettability on such surfaces. Wettability of a surface is its ability to maintain contact with a liquid, resulting from intermolecular interactions when the two are brought together. Wettability for a solid surface is generally quantified by the contact angle, measured through the liquid, where a liquid-vapor interface meets the solid surface. A mathematical model is presented to evaluate the apparent contact angle on such multiscale rough surfaces. Experimental validation of the model predictions is presented on various hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces generated on several materials under different processing conditions.
Superhydrophobic surfaces do not get wet by water and water droplet contact angle on these surfaces exceed 150°. Such surfaces have extensive industrial applications, yet their practical utilization has been severely limited by their poor mechanical durability and longevity. Toward addressing this gap, the second and third parts of this thesis work present low cost, facile processes to fabricate superhydrophobic copper and zinc-based coatings via electrodeposition. Additionally, systematic studies are presented on coatings fabricated under different processing conditions to demonstrate excellent durability, mechanical and underwater stability, and corrosion resistance. The presented processes can be scaled to larger, durable coatings with controllable wettability for diverse applications.
Apart from their use as superhydrophobic surfaces, the application of multiscale coatings in photo-thermal conversion systems as solar selective coatings is explored in the final part of this iv thesis. Solar selective coatings aim to improve photo-thermal conversion efficiency by providing a high solar absorptance and low thermal emittance. Solar selective coatings ensure that maximum incoming solar radiation is absorbed into the surface and radiative losses due to emissions at high temperatures are minimized. The effects of scale-independent mathematical parameters of the coating surfaces and heat treatment are systematically explored with respect to their optical properties of absorptance, emittance, and figure of merit (FOM).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/78725 |
| Date | 21 August 2017 |
| Creators | Jain, Rahul |
| Contributors | Mechanical Engineering, Pitchumani, Ranga, Cheng, Jiangtao, Boreyko, Jonathan B. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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