  Vapor sink is an effective strategy to suppress the formation of water vapor
condensation around hygroscopic materials, and consequently reduce frosting and
icing. However, traditionally used materials, such as salt solutions, fibers,
exhibit insufficient condensation inhibition or pose safety concerns, such as
corrosiveness. In this study, we highlight the remarkable anti-condensation
properties of glycerol droplets, attributed to their strong hygroscopicity. We
compared the anti-condensation capabilities of glycerol droplets with commonly
used salt solutions and hygroscopic alcohols. The results indicated that
glycerol droplets establish a relatively expansive dry zone where the
condensation is effectively inhibited, while also offering safety compared to
other materials. Furthermore, we conducted a systematic study of the
anti-condensation properties of glycerol droplets with experiments and
theoretical analysis. We explored the varying trends of the dry zone ratio
concerning temperature, cooling time, humidity, and droplet volume on
hydrophobic surfaces. To provide a comprehensive understanding, we propose a
straightforward yet robust theoretical model that elucidates the relationship
between this ratio and temperature, aligning well with the experimental data.
Our study not only sheds light on the superior anti-condensation qualities of
glycerol but also offers insights and guidelines for the development of
effective anti-icing and anti-frost materials.
