Physics of Fluids | 2021
Opaque and translucent films from aqueous microfiber suspensions by evaporative self-assembly
Abstract
Films were prepared by casting microfiber (MF) suspensions on hydrophobic and hydrophilic substrates at controlled conditions (23\u2009°C and 50% relative humidity). It was found that opaque films are formed on the hydrophilic surface, while translucent films are formed on the hydrophobic one. The physical and mechanical properties of the MF films were found to be comparable to those of nano-fibrillated cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose films. The observations from the microfiber film formation on the two substrates of different wettability are discussed in the context of the evaporation of water from sessile droplets containing nanoparticles.