2025-10-15 JOURNAL OF MAGNETISM AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS 2025 630(卷), null(期), (null页)
As an innovative biomimetic surface, slippery surface demonstrates remarkable properties such as water repellency and self-cleaning. Due to its intriguing features, many researchers have employed them as mist collectors for water harvesting in deserts and arid regions. This study investigates the effects of magnetic fields (MF) on droplet condensation and evaporation dynamics on PDMS/paraffin solid slippery surfaces (PSSS). Through experimental and computational analyses, it was demonstrated that magnetic fields enhance droplet evaporation rates on PSSS, thereby delaying condensation and reducing collected water volume by up to 18.4 % under stronger fields (230 mT). Notably, under low relative humidity (RH), distinct "evaporation rings" emerged in high-MF regions, attributed to accelerated localized evaporation and humidity reduction. COMSOL simulations validated that MF intensity gradients correlate with ring formation, as stronger fields reduce surface RH and inhibit droplet nucleation. Additionally, MF exposure reduced water droplet contact angles, expanding vapor-liquid interfacial areas and further promoting evaporation. These findings bridge the gap between magnetic interactions and phase-change processes at engineered interfaces, offering critical insights for optimizing water harvesting technologies in arid, mineral-rich environments where geomagnetic anomalies may influence efficiency. The study underscores the interplay of environmental factors and surface engineering in sustainable water collection systems.