This invention provides an ultrathin vapor chamber based on an asymmetric capillary structure with a wettability gradient, and relates to an
improved method for an ultrathin vapor chamber with an
asymmetric distribution of hydrophilic-phobic composite capillary structures. The vapor chamber includes a sealed, flat cavity filled with a
working fluid. Its innovation lies primarily in the construction of the capillary structures distributed on the upper and lower shell plates of the cavity. The upper shell plate comprises a hydrophilic surface with superhydrophilic microstructures exhibiting strong capillary forces, while the lower shell plate comprises a smooth hydrophobic surface without capillary structures and a hydrophilic surface with superhydrophilic microstructures exhibiting strong capillary forces. The superhydrophilic microstructures with strong capillary forces are uniformly distributed on the surface of the upper shell plate, while those on the lower shell plate are distributed in the
edge region of the plate surface, with the
central region being a smooth hydrophobic surface without capillary structures, forming a wettability gradient structure. Compared to traditional ultrathin heat spreaders with uniformly symmetrical capillary structures, this invention designs a continuous wettability gradient in the lower shell plate, allowing steam to rise vertically without obstruction in the
central region. Meanwhile, the condensate formed by
steam condensation flows back laterally efficiently through the superhydrophilic structure at the edge of the lower shell plate. During the gradual change of capillary force, the paths of steam and liquid are separated, thus achieving the
synergy of steam
diffusion and liquid
reflux within a single thin cavity.