Evaporative Deposition in Receding Drops

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework to predict the surface density profile of stains left by receding drops during evaporation, revealing a mountain-like deposit morphology distinct from pinned drops.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model for evaporative deposition in receding drops, extending understanding beyond pinned drop scenarios.

Findings

Surface density profile follows a specific mathematical form.

Deposits form a mountain-like morphology.

Framework adaptable to various stain morphologies.

Abstract

We present a framework for calculating the surface density profile of a stain deposited by a drop with a receding contact line. Unlike a pinned drop, a receding drop pushes fluid towards its interior, continuously deposits mass across its substrate as it evaporates, and does not produce the usual "coffee ring." For a thin, circular drop with a constant evaporation rate, we find the surface density of the stain goes as $\eta(r) \propto \left(\left(r/a_0\right)^{-1/2}-r/a_0\right)$, where $r$ is the radius from the drop center and $a_0$ is the initial outer radius. Under these conditions, the deposited stain has a mountain-like morphology. Our framework can easily be extended to investigate new stain morphologies left by drying drops.