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Updated: Aug 10, 2025
13:27
Exploring the Effects of Atmospheric Forcings on Evaporation: Experimental Integration of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Shallow Subsurface
Published on: June 8, 2015
8.8K
Drying Liquid Coatings with an Evaporation Mask: Theory and Experiments
Apolline Faidherbe1, Maxence Wilmet2, Jérémie Teisseire2
1CNRS, Surface du Verre et Interfaces, Saint-Gobain, 93300 Aubervilliers, France.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 13, 2023
Summary
Nonuniform evaporation flux creates thickness variations in polymer films. Analytical models accurately predict these heterogeneities, offering insights for controlling film uniformity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
- Surface Science
Background:
- Drying of polymer solutions can lead to spatially varying film thicknesses.
- Nonuniform evaporation flux is a key factor influencing these thickness variations.
- Understanding these phenomena is crucial for controlling material properties and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of thickness heterogeneities in polymer films due to nonuniform evaporation.
- To develop analytical models for predicting the thickness profiles of dried polymer films.
- To compare theoretical predictions with experimental results.
Main Methods:
- Controlled imposition of nonuniform evaporation flux using a solid mask.
- Development of analytical solutions for film thickness profiles using linear approximation.
- Experimental drying of polymer solution thin films under a mask.
- Comparison of predicted and experimental thickness profiles.
Main Results:
- A depression forms under the mask, with overthicknesses extending beyond its edges.
- Gravity can influence film deformations even for thin films.
- Analytical models quantitatively predict the extent and amplitude of thickness heterogeneities.
- A reference state under the mask provides accurate predictions.
Conclusions:
- Nonuniform evaporation flux significantly impacts polymer film thickness.
- Linear analysis with an appropriate reference state accurately predicts drying patterns.
- The findings offer insights for minimizing thickness heterogeneities in practical applications.
- Results are generalizable to other systems with controlled evaporation.
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