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Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions

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Solvent-Induced Triradial Pattern Formation on Solid-Supported Viscoelastic Thin Films and Gels.

Fan Zhao¹, Surjyasish Mitra², Minmin Xu³

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

|November 4, 2025

Summary

Researchers discovered how solvent-driven processes create unique triradial patterns on soft silicone surfaces. This understanding allows for the design of dynamic surface architectures through controlled solvent processing.

Keywords:

silicone gel solvent-induced patterning swelling-induced instability triradial surface structure viscous elastomer

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Soft Matter Physics
Surface Chemistry

Background:

Solvent-driven surface instabilities in soft materials can create spontaneous patterns.
The mechanisms behind pattern emergence, evolution, and modulation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the time-dependent formation of quasi-periodic triradial patterns on silicone films during solvent extraction.
To elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving pattern development and explore tunability.

Main Methods:

Utilized dual-wavelength reflection interference contrast microscopy to observe morphological changes.
Conducted systematic studies on silicone elastomers and gels with varying properties.

Main Results:

Observed a progression from circular domains to well-defined triradial patterns over time.
Identified internal stress, modulus gradients, and network densification as key drivers.
Demonstrated that pattern geometry is tunable via cross-link density and solvent retention.

Conclusions:

Established a general mechanism for solvent-mediated pattern formation in soft silicone films.
Showcased potential for designing dynamic and programmable surface architectures through controlled solvent processing.