Flow boiling heat transfer enhancement via micro-pin-fins/ZnO nanorods hierarchical surface

In this study, ZnO nanorods were synthesized on micro-pin-fins by a simple and inexpensive aqueous solution method for flow boiling heat transfer enhancement. The morphology, chemical composition and wickability of the micro/nano hierarchical surface (PF+NR) were characterized. The heat transfer performance of PF+NR was investigated under various flow velocities together with a micro-pin-finned surface (PF), a ZnO nanorod-coated surface (NR) and a smooth surface (S). The results indicated that the boiling performance is improved significantly by the hierarchical surface and demonstrated a synergism between the microstructure and the nanostructure. The maximum boiling heat transfer coefficient of PF+NR is increased by 63%, 76%, and 158% compared with PF, NR and S, respectively. The critical heat flux is also increased by 31%, 33%, and 74%, respectively. The onset of nucleate boiling temperature of PF+NR is decreased compared with that of the other surfaces. The comprehensive improvement of boiling heat transfer performance is attributed to the cooperation of structures in different scales: the nanorods provide abundant nucleation sites, and the micro-pin-fins improve the liquid replenishment capacity and suppress the lateral coalescence of large bubbles at high heat fluxes.