Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures
Published on: May 21, 2014
Modeling of drying in films of colloidal particles
1Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, México D.F., México.
Abstract:
The process of film formation on a solid substrate from polymer colloid dispersion during solvent evaporation has been investigated by means of the Monte Carlo simulation method. Colloid particles are modeled as hard spheres. Time evolution of the colloid density distribution and coverage of the solid substrate are studied. Both density and structure of colloid film is shown to depend strongly on the evaporation rate. At a low evaporation rate, the coexistence of hexagonal and tetragonal domains of dried colloid monolayer has been observed. The results of monolayer structure are in good agreement with the confocal scanning laser microscopy observations of Dullens et al. (2004).
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Colloids
Colloids and Suspensions
Colloidal precipitates
The Colloidal State
Drying Shrinkage
A portion of this drying shrinkage can be reversed; if the concrete is...

