Abstract
We studied the formation of tree-like patterns of polymer aggregates and rings ofnanoparticles during evaporation from a fluid film. We utilize phase separation between twoimmiscible fluids to generate a double-layer film which dries up in a sequential manner.Both fluid layers may contain a solute, polymer aggregates or nanoparticles. Duringevaporation of the top layer, instabilities may occur and direct a self-assembly process ofthe solute which may be further affected by an instability of the bottom layer at alater stage. We present two cases where, after evaporation of the top fluid layer,the solute was adsorbed on the surface of the bottom fluid layer. In comparisonto dewetting of a single fluid layer on a solid substrate, the advantage of ourdouble-layer approach lies in the deposition of the solute on the surface of thebottom fluid layer. The relatively high mobility of the solute on such a fluid surfacefavors the formation of ordered patterns, driven by an instability of the bottomlayer.
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