Large-Scale and Low-Cost Preparation of Ordered Honeycomb-Patterned Film by Solvent Evaporation-Induced Phase Separation Method

Abstract

A large-scale and low-cost method for producing highly ordered honeycomb-patterned film using commonly commercialized polymers was proposed. This method provides the ability to prepare honeycomb-patterned films in normal indoor environments without the need to maintain a certain relative humidity and without the addition of stabilizers. This method can produce a uniform and highly ordered honeycomb structure in semiclosed substrates in areas with limited humidity and limited curvature. At the same time, it can be used for large surfaces and on objects of different shapes. The pore size could be controlled by choosing an optimal solvent–nonsolvent ratio and modulating the experimental processing conditions. A film with thickness of 800 μm, prepared using 5 wt % PS in CH2Cl2 with 1 wt % propylene glycol, showed a highly ordered honeycomb pattern and hence proved to be the most suitable formulation for manufacturing PS honeycomb-patterned films. This approach can be applied to manufacture honeycomb-patterned film on a large scale with significantly improved hydrophobic properties. The integration of low-cost and large-scale fabrication of ordered honeycomb-patterned film has widespread application potential for future commercial technology equipment that needs certain functions.

Laser-induced photoexcited audible sound effect based on reticular 2-bromo-2-methylpropionic acid modified Fe3O4nanoparticle aggregates

“…To begin with, the significant thermal effect produced by vapor explosions enables the Brownian motion of the nanoparticles to be strongly amplified with exceptionally high activity, providing the energy basis for the construction of later organized structures. Second, solvent evaporation further results in the formation of reticular structures, as has been observed in the study by Cheng et al 40 The special feature presented in this study is that the PEAS effect based on vapor explosions and its reticular structure formation are mutually reinforcing results. The reticular structure maximizes the dissipation of energy generated by the vapor explosions with as few local nanoparticles as possible, and the formation of the reticular structure is also responsible for the enhanced vapor explosions as previously stated.…”

Water transferable, customizable highly ordered honeycomb film from polystyrene foam waste for complex surface patterning in confined space

“…Honeycomb‐patterned films ( hc‐ films) have gained increasing interest in both fundamental research and industry due to their wide range of potential applications, including but not limited to templates, 5,6 separation, 7 tissue engineering, 8 microelectronics, sensors, and energy harvesting and storage 9,10 . A variety of fabrication techniques have been developed for these films, such as lithographic techniques, 11 colloidal templates, 12 block copolymers self‐assembly, 13 emulsion and phase separation, 14,15 and breath figure methods (BFs) 16,17 . Among these techniques, BFs have widely used because of their versatility and cost‐effectiveness.…”

“…9,10 A variety of fabrication techniques have been developed for these films, such as lithographic techniques, 11 colloidal templates, 12 block copolymers self-assembly, 13 emulsion and phase separation, 14,15 and breath figure methods (BFs). 16,17 Among these techniques, BFs have widely used because of their versatility and cost-effectiveness. However, the strict requirement of a highly humid environment in BFs poses challenges to the production rate and reproducibility of highly ordered honeycomb films.…”

On the Impact of Ambient Humidity and Evaporation on Demixing of Binary Mixtures

“…Apart from its high fundamental value, e.g., in pattern formation, this process is important in many applied fields such as the multi-fragmentation of the nuclear system during the meltdown, the formation of membrane-less compartments in cells, , or the production and release of drugs . Numerous studies have been done on the demixing of polymeric solutions − due to its potential application in the manufacturing of porous structures. Often, these studies consider simple binary mixtures such as polymeric solutions with well-behaved mixture compositions, where diffusion or temperature change may induce the demixing process.…”