'Coffee-ring' patterns of polymer droplets: chain entanglement effect

TL;DR

This study investigates how polymer molecular weight and concentration influence 'coffee-ring' drying patterns, revealing effects of chain entanglement on contact line dynamics and resulting deposit structures.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of chain entanglement effects on contact line motion and pattern formation in polymer droplets, linking molecular properties to drying patterns.

Findings

Low molecular weight droplets form spheroidal peripheral structures.

Higher molecular weight causes 'stick-slip' contact line motion.

Chain entanglement explains different pattern types and behaviors.

Abstract

Dried droplets of polymer solutions of different molecular weights and concentrations leave various types of 'coffee-ring' patterns. These patterns are consequence of contact line motion. We have observed for very low molecular weight the droplet periphery part contains spheroidal structures whereas central part contains continuous layer. For higher molecular weight contact line exhibits 'stick-slip' motion. Whereas for very high molecular weight contact line delays enough to start motion and finally moves uninterruptedly leaving a continuous layer of polymer. We have explained this phenomena in terms of chain entanglement which is resultant of molecular weight and solution concentration. Depending on the entanglement chains can exhibit 'granular' and 'collective' behavior even when monomer numbers remain same within the droplets.