Evaporation and crystallization process for sessile saline droplets during depressurization

Abstract.

The evaporation and crystallization process for sessile saline droplets during depressurization is experimentally studied. The relationship between ambient pressure and the crystallization pattern is primarily discussed. When the ambient pressure is low, salt particles are easily formed at the droplet contact line. In contrast, when the ambient pressure is similar to atmospheric pressure, it is more likely for cubic crystals to be formed inside the droplet. By analysing the contact angle fluctuation during crystallization, the experimental results show that the growth of a cubic salt crystal under high ambient pressure or low salt concentration leads to a greater deformation of the liquid-gas interface and a larger contact angle fluctuation. Finally, the Peclet number Pe is introduced to reflect the ratio of the rate of ion advection to the rate of diffusion. The Pe number is larger at lower ambient pressure, which means that the external mass transfer and convection effect is more significant under low pressure, with salt particles easily formed at the droplet contact line. The effect of concentration diffusion inside the droplet increases at higher ambient pressure, thereby, making it easy for cubic crystals to be formed inside the droplet.

Graphical abstract