Bioinspired Anti‐Plateau–Rayleigh‐Instability on Dual Parallel Fibers. Issue 45 (5th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Pengwei; Zhou, Jiajia; Xu, Bojie; Lu, Cong; Meng, Qing'an; Liu, Huan
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 32:Issue 45(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-05
• Subjects: bioinspiration -- fibers -- fluid coating -- Laplace pressure -- Plateau–Rayleigh instability; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202003453
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: The Plateau–Rayleigh instability (PRI) is a well‐known phenomenon where a liquid column always breaks up into droplets to achieve the minimization of surface energy. It normally leads to the non‐uniformity of a liquid film, which, however, is unfavorable for the fluid coating process. So far, strategies to overcome this instability rely on either the surfactants, UV/high‐temp curing treatments, or specific chemical reactions, which suffer from both limited liquid composition and complicated experimental conditions. Natural mulberry silk, a typical composite fiber, is produced by silkworms through a similar fluidic coating process, but exhibits a remarkably uniform and smooth surface. Drawing inspiration, it is revealed that the unique dual parallel fibers are capable of overcoming the PRI during the fluid coating process. Such anti‐PRI ability is attributable to the changes in the Laplace pressure difference caused by the alternative asymmetry of the liquid film, as has been demonstrated by both a force analysis on the irregular liquid film and theoretical simulation according to the stability of the liquid on parallel fibers in the fluid coating process. The strategy is applicable for preparing various smooth functional coatings on fibers, which offers new perspectives for fluid coating and microfluidic technologies. Abstract : Inspired by the unique topological structure of mulberry silk, a facile strategy is proposed to overcome the fluidic Plateau–Rayleigh instability (PRI) during the fibrous solution coating process using dual parallel cylindrical fibers, by which a uniform and smooth coating on fibers is realized.