Abstract
The evolution of gas-liquid foams has been an attractive topic for more than half a century. However, it remains a challenge to manipulate the evolution of foams, which restricts the development of porous materials with excellent mechanical, thermal, catalytic, electrical or acoustic properties. Here we report a strategy to manipulate the evolution of two-dimensional (2D) liquid foams with a micropatterned surface. We demonstrate that 2D liquid foams can evolve beyond Ostwald ripening (large bubbles always consuming smaller ones). By varying the arrangement of pillars on the surface, we have prepared various patterns of foams in which the size, shape and position of the bubbles can be precisely controlled. Furthermore, these patterned bubbles can serve as a template for the assembly of functional materials, such as nanoparticles and conductive polymers, into desired 2D networks with nanoscale resolution. This methodology provides new insights in controlling curvature-driven evolution and opens a general route for the assembly of functional materials.
Highlights
The evolution of gas-liquid foams has been an attractive topic for more than half a century
We demonstrate that a micropatterned surface can be used to manipulate the evolution of 2D liquid foams
We prepared the 2D foams by a decomposition reaction, that is, the decomposition of urea peroxide catalysed by Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) (Supplementary Fig. 1)
Summary
The evolution of gas-liquid foams has been an attractive topic for more than half a century. By varying the arrangement of pillars on the surface, we have prepared various patterns of foams in which the size, shape and position of the bubbles can be precisely controlled These patterned bubbles can serve as a template for the assembly of functional materials, such as nanoparticles and conductive polymers, into desired 2D networks with nanoscale resolution. When the volume fraction of gas is insufficient, and the gas is distributed uniformly, the evolution exhibits the gathering effect, that is, the bubbles selectively evolve towards domains, where they have a larger radius of curvature This fundamental understanding enables us to prepare various 2D bubble patterns. It is expected that our strategy will further the understanding in controlling curvature-driven evolution and provides a general method for the 2D assembly of functional materials
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