Molecular dynamics of wettability and condensation on nanostructured surfaces: Fundamentals and hybrid wetting

In this review article, molecular dynamics simulation is utilized to study wettability and condensation phenomena on nanostructured surfaces with combined wettability characteristics (hydrophilic and hydrophobic). Nanostructured surfaces, through the combination of various wettability properties, have demonstrated significant improvements in heat transfer and the stability of droplet condensation processes. Specifically, surfaces with hybrid wettability have shown to enhance condensation efficiency by up to 10 times compared to traditional hydrophilic surfaces, as indicated by simulation studies. By optimizing roughness and geometric variations, these surfaces reduce thermal resistance by approximately 20-30 %, enabling more efficient thermal management. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations have revealed critical parameters influencing droplet growth, such as the impact of hydrophilic-to-hydrophobic ratios, where higher hydrophilic content accelerates nucleation by 40-50 %. This research also addresses existing challenges, including surface stability under varying environmental conditions and the need for experimental data to validate simulation models. Emphasizing these findings, the study highlights the importance of combined wettability technologies in applications such as nanomedicine, microfluidics, and energy storage.