Molecular dynamics simulation of bubble nucleation on nanostructure surface

In this paper, the bubble nucleation of ultra-thin liquid argon film on a platinum surface is studied by molecular dynamics simulation. In the simulations, the liquid is heated by the middle part and cooled by the two sides of the platinum surface. Observation of bubble nucleation is performed after increasing the temperature of heating zone. The space and time evolution of argon density distribution and the size of bubble are monitored to investigate the nucleation processes above surfaces with and without nanostructures. The results illustrate that nanostructure surface increases the solid-liquid contacting area and the degree of surface temperature non-uniformity, which results in the enhancement of heating intensity and higher rate of nucleation. Comparisons are made among surfaces with different nanostructures, with which it is further found that the heat flux increases with the height of nanostructures. Higher nanostructure reduces nucleation duration. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.