Evaporation-assisted formation of surface patterns from polymer solutions via copper tubes

Abstract

Surface patterns with controllable features are constructed via the evaporation of an acetone solution of poly (methyl methacrylate) under the confinement of a copper tube. The effects of the dimensions of copper tube and the substrate temperature on the surface patterns are systematically studied. For the substrate temperature in the range of 30 to 50°C, the surface patterns are concentric rings consisting of waved rings and/or linked beads. The wavelength of the concentric rings decreases with the increase of the height of copper tube, and is dependent on the substrate temperature. At the substrate temperature of 20°C, surface patterns are presented in wrinkling-like shape. At the substrate temperature of 10°C, 'breath figure' phenomenon occurs, and 'hole network' patterns are formed. A summary of the geometrical characteristics of the surface patterns is given, which can be used to better design and control evaporation-induced surface patterns.

Formation of Deposition Patterns Induced by the Evaporation of the Restricted Liquid

“…In addition, by fixing the lower plate and controlling the sliding speed of the upper plate precisely, the polymer solution in two parallel plates could evaporate and form parallel stripes . Restricting the droplet to a geometric container which controls the motion of the contact line helps one to obtain ordered deposition patterns. , Liquid evaporation in a geometric container, which provides a new path for construction of deposition patterns, has received increasing attention. However, as far as we are concerned, little work has been done to study the dimension effect of the geometric container and the temperature effect of the substrate on the formation of the deposition patterns.…”

PEG-based cross-linked films with aligned channels: combining cryogenic processing and photopolymerization for the design of micro-patterned oriented platforms

“…11,13 Currently used techniques for micro-patterning include most types of lithographies and printing methods (photolithography, 1 electron and ion beam litography, 14 soft litography, 15 laser interference lithography, 4,11 dip-pen lithography, inkjet printing, 16 etc.) although unconventional techniques like those based on surface wrinkling 17 and controlled evaporation 18 are gradually gaining popularity because of the strong demand for simpler and less expensive procedures. As coffee ring stains have been the starting idea behind the development of evaporation-based micro-patterning techniques, 19 threedimensional (3D) porous structures could be the inspiring muse for the development of patterning techniques based on the formation of regularly spaced grooves on coatings and films.…”