In this review, we discuss the spontaneous pattern formation of solgel dip coating films induced by solvent evaporation, as a novel patterning technique. Linearly arranged striations and cell-like patterns were obtained upon withdrawing the substrate from the coating solution at increasing withdrawal rates. Such highly ordered micropatterns formed by the BénardMarangoni convection mechanism triggered by solvent evaporation. In contrast, dip-coating at rates below 1.0cm/min generated periodic stripe patterns arranged on the surface of the films that were perpendicular to the substrate withdrawal direction. Such a formation design was attributed to the onset of capillary flow of the coating solution at the meniscus induced by solvent evaporation. |
