Multiple time scale dynamics in the breakdown of superhydrophobicity

Drops deposited on rough and hydrophobic surfaces can stay suspended with gas pockets underneath the liquid, then showing very low hydrodynamic resistance. When this superhydrophobic state breaks down, the subsequent wetting process can show different dynamical properties. A suitable choice of the geometry can make the wetting front propagate in a stepwise manner leading to square- shaped wetted area: the front propagation is slow and the patterned surface fills by rows through a zipping mechanism. The multiple time scale scenario of this wetting process is experimentally characterized and compared to numerical simulations. Copyright (c) EPLA, 2008.