Formation of ordered mesoscopic polymer arrays by dewetting
Abstract
It could be shown that by a simple casting process from solution two-dimensionally ordered arrays of mesoscopic (i.e., in the range of submicrometer to micrometer) polymer aggregates on solid substrates can be formed. Patterns were investigated by optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The pattern formation was observed in situ by optical and fluorescence microscopy and it was found that a "fingering instability" at the three-phase-line of a solution droplet is the crucial process for pattern formation.
- Publication:
-
Chaos
- Pub Date:
- June 1999
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.166407
- Bibcode:
- 1999Chaos...9..308K
- Keywords:
-
- 61.43.Hv;
- 78.66.Qn;
- 68.55.Jk;
- 61.41.+e;
- 47.55.Dz;
- 47.20.-k;
- Fractals;
- macroscopic aggregates;
- Polymers;
- organic compounds;
- Structure and morphology;
- thickness;
- crystalline orientation and texture;
- Polymers elastomers and plastics;
- Flow instabilities