Development of novel technique for patterning of ceramic thin films based on Benard convection

我们建议自发图案形成诱导的Benard-Marangoni对流作为一种新的图案化过程的溶胶-凝胶衍生的陶瓷薄膜。通过浸涂工艺制备的二氧化硅薄膜表面自发形成了细胞状的微图案，其中表面图案平行于衬底的抽拉方向线性排列。这种高度有序的微图案是通过Benard-Marangoni对流和浸涂过程中涂层溶液在基材上的单向流动来实现的。我们发现，由Benard-Marangoni对流引起的细胞状图案的大小随着涂覆温度和涂覆溶液的表面张力的增加而增加。此外，新的图案形成诱导的毛细作用力观察到与降低基板撤回速度。这些结果对溶剂挥发引发的新型自组织的发展具有重要意义。

We suggested the spontaneous pattern formation induced by Benard-Marangoni convection as a novel patterning process of sol-gel-derived ceramic films. Cell-like micropatterns were spontaneously formed on the surface of silica films prepared via dip-coating process, where the surface patterns were linearly arranged parallel to the substrate withdrawal direction. Such highly-ordered micropatterns were achieved by Benard-Marangoni convection and the unidirectional flow of the coating solution on the substrate during dip-coating. We found that the size of the cell-like patterns induced by Benard-Marangoni convection increased with increasing coating temperature and surface tension of coating solutions. Moreover, novel pattern formation induced by capillary force was observed with decreasing substrate withdrawal speeds. These results are beneficial for the development of novel self-organization triggered by solvent evaporation.