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Phase-field numerical study on the dynamic process of thermocapillary patterning
Qingzhen Yang1,2,3,4, Yankui Liu5, Xinmiao Jia1,2
1The Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information Engineering of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, People's Republic of China.
Physical Review. E
|August 17, 2022
Summary
Nonuniform temperatures drive thermocapillary flow (Marangoni effect), enabling precise micro- and nanostructure fabrication via thermocapillary patterning. This study models the dynamic process and parameter influences for advanced material structuring.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Materials Science
- Surface Physics
Background:
- Surface tension is temperature-dependent, leading to thermocapillary flow (Marangoni effect) when temperature gradients exist.
- Thermocapillary patterning utilizes this effect to deform thin liquid films, creating micro- and nanostructures that often replicate template topography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and employ a numerical model for studying the dynamic process of thermocapillary patterning.
- To investigate the influence of key parameters on the thermocapillary patterning phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Development of a two-phase flow numerical model utilizing the phase field method.
- The phase field approach allows seamless integration of thermal fields, multiphase flow, and free surface deformation without remeshing.
Main Results:
- The numerical model successfully simulated the dynamic process of thermocapillary patterning.
- Investigated the impact of temperature, geometric parameters, and contact angle on structure formation.
Conclusions:
- The phase field-based numerical model is effective for studying thermocapillary patterning dynamics.
- Understanding parameter effects is crucial for optimizing the fabrication of micro- and nanostructures using this technique.
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