Factors controlling the drop evaporation constant

J Phys Chem B. 2005 Nov 3;109(43):20554-7. doi: 10.1021/jp053986d.

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the factors affecting drop evaporation. We found that the droplet morphology at a specific temperature was controlled by the physical properties of the liquid itself, such as the molecular weight, density, diffusion coefficient in air, and heat of vaporization. Two processes are included in drop evaporation: diffusion of liquid molecules into the air (diffusion part) and flow of the liquid molecules from inside the drop to the free outer shell liquid layer within the liquid-vapor interface (evaporation part). The diffusion part remained steady during drying and was not sensitive to the variation of temperature. The evaporation part, however, was an active factor and determined the differences in drop evaporation behaviors.