Water drop-surface interactions as the basis for the design of anti-fogging surfaces: Theory, practice, and applications trends

• Published in: Advances in colloid and interface science Vol. 263; pp. 68 - 94
• Main Authors: Durán, Iván Rodríguez, Laroche, Gaétan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-01-2019
• Subjects: Anti-bacterial activity; Anti-fogging surface; Cassie-Baxter equation; Filmwise condensation; Self-healable coating; Water drop; Anti-fogging surface; Self-healable coating; Water drop; Cassie-Baxter equation; Anti-bacterial activity; Filmwise condensation
• ISSN: 0001-8686; 1873-3727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2018.11.005

Glass- and polymer-based materials have become essential in the fabrication of a multitude of elements, including eyeglasses, automobile windshields, bathroom mirrors, greenhouses, and food packages, which unfortunately mist up under typical operating conditions. Far from being an innocuous phenomenon, the formation of minute water drops on the surface is detrimental to their optical properties (e.g., light-transmitting capability) and, in many cases, results in esthetical, hygienic, and safety concerns. In this context, it is therefore not surprising that research in the field of fog-resistant surfaces is gaining in popularity, particularly in recent years, in view of the growing number of studies focusing on this topic. This review addresses the most relevant advances released thus far on anti-fogging surfaces, with a particular focus on coating deposition, surface micro/nanostructuring, and surface functionalization. A brief explanation of how surfaces fog up and the main issues of interest linked to fogging phenomenon, including common problems, anti-fogging strategies, and wetting states are first presented. Anti-fogging mechanisms are then discussed in terms of the morphology of water drops, continuing with a description of the main fabrication techniques toward anti-fogging property. This review concludes with the current and the future perspectives on the utility of anti-fogging surfaces for several applications and some remaining challenges in this field.
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•Resistance to fogging can be attained by changing the morphology of water drops.•Spreading, rolling, and percolation mechanisms make it possible to prevent fogging.•Anti-fogging surfaces with anti-bacterial/self-healing features were designed.•Applications in the food industry, medicine, and photovoltaic sector were developed.•Current challenges and future research on anti-fogging surfaces were identified.