A simple strategy for fabricating honeycomb patterns on commercially available polymer film under a wide humidity range. Issue 23 (14th December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Kai; Cheng, Qi; Zhang, Honglei; Lin, Ligang; Wang, Qiying
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials research. Volume 35:Issue 23/24(2020)
• Page Start: 3210
• Page End: 3221
• Publication Date: 2020-12-14
• Subjects: dip-coating, -- film, -- honeycomb pattern, -- ethyl cellulose, -- humidity; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2020.304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0884-2914

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : A simple and effective strategy is proposed for fabricating honeycomb-patterned ethyl cellulose (EC) films via a combination of the dip-coating and breath figure methods under a wide humidity range (40–90%). A mixture of toluene and methanol as a volatile solvent/nonsolvent pair was used to effectively control the surface morphology. Additionally, honeycomb patterns were successfully formed via dip-coating under a low humidity (relative humidity less than 40%), when water was directly added into the mixed solution. The important factors that influenced the morphology of EC honeycomb-patterned films were investigated, such as the humidity, solution concentration, and the withdrawal speed during dip-coating. The pore sizes could be controlled by changing the film-formation conditions. Water contact angle enables a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. The possible mechanisms of honeycomb pattern formation are discussed. The fabrication of an ordered honeycomb-patterned film in a cost-effective and convenient manner will have broad application potential in the future.