Spontaneous Formation of Mesoscale Polymer Patterns in an Evaporating Bound Solution

Abstract

Ordered mesoscale polymer patterns are formed spontaneously by allowing a drop of polymer solutions to evaporate in a restricted geometry consisting of a sphere on a flat surface (i.e., bound liquid, see figure). Gradient concentric ring patterns and self-organized punch-hole-like structures are obtained via mediating interfacial interactions between the polymer and the substrate.