Successive impact of droplets on the superhydrophobic surface.

• An accurate three-dimensional successive droplets freezing model is achieved. • Five characteristics rebound patterns of successive droplets impact are found. • Superhydrophobic surface has more complex trend of successive droplets impact. • Pancake-like rebound is conducive to improving the anti-icing ability of the surface. Compared with single droplet impact, multiple-droplet impact is more common in nature, and its dynamic process is more complicated. Based on the many-body dissipative particle dynamics with energy conservation method, we investigate the successive impact of droplets on the superhydrophobic surface at room temperature under different conditions, and observe five rebound modes, which are mainly determined by the interval time and Weber number. For the first time, the pancake-like rebound was found on a non-microstructure surface. As a universal rebound form, its contact time on solid surface was less than other rebound forms. By simulating the successive collision of two droplets at a specific Weber number, the time interval of the pancake-like rebound is obtained, and the mechanism of this characteristic form is analyzed from the aspect of surface energy change during the impact. Finally, by studying the impact of the supercooled droplet on the cold surface with different temperatures, it is verified that the pancake-like rebound mode is more conducive to the anti-icing of the surface. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]