  Steam condensation on the surface of a solid is a widely observed mode of
energy transfer in nature and various industrial applications. The condensation
efficiency is closely related to the material properties and geometric
morphology of the solid surface, as well as the method of liquid removal.
Despite many surface modification strategies at the micro and nano levels
having been employed to enhance steam condensation, understanding how to
regulate steam condensation and liquid removal on complex surface morphologies
remains incomplete. Here, we report a method that uses superhydrophilic and
superhydrophobic coatings as well as spiked surfaces to achieve efficient steam
condensation and rapid removal of the liquid. We reveal that on a copper plate
with millimeter-scale spikes, hydrophobic spiked surfaces facilitate the
dropwise condensation, while hydrophilic bottom grooves promote liquid
spreading, and the suction in capillary gaps can promptly remove the condensate
liquid. This method achieves a high condensation efficiency without relying on
gravity. Additionally, we demonstrate that the condensation on spiked surfaces
has a significant suction effect, as it continuously attracts the steam flow,
thereby altering the flow direction. This finding provides a new approach for
efficient steam condensation technology and opens up a promising pathway for
providing circulation power and improving condensation efficiency in
phase-change heat transfer devices such as heat pipes.
