Electron beam heating effects during environmental scanning electron microscopy imaging of water condensation on superhydrophobic surfaces

Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) show promise as promoters of dropwise condensation. Droplets with diameters below similar to 10 mu m account for the majority of the heat transferred during dropwise condensation but their growth dynamics on SHS have not been systematically studied. Due to the complex topography of the surface environmental scanning electron microscopy is the preferred method for observing the growth dynamics of droplets in this size regime. By studying electron beam heating effects on condensed water droplets we establish a magnification limit below which the heating effects are negligible and use this insight to study the mechanism of individual drop growth. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3560443]