Droplet evaporation on porous fabric materials
Marta Gonçalves, Jin Young Kim, Yeseul Kim, Najaf Rubab, Narina Jung, Takeshi Asai, Sungchan Hong, Byung Mook Weon
Abstract
Droplet evaporation on porous materials is a complex dynamic that occurs with spontaneous liquid imbibition through pores by capillary action. Here, we explore water dynamics on a porous fabric substrate with in-situ observations of X-ray and optical imaging techniques. We show how spreading and wicking lead to water imbibition through a porous substrate, enhancing the wetted surface area and consequently promoting evaporation. These sequential dynamics offer a framework to understand the alterations in the evaporation due to porosity for the particular case of fabric materials and a clue of how face masks interact with respiratory droplets.