Evaporation dynamics and sedimentation pattern of a sessile particle laden water droplet

Abstract

The dynamics of the flow inside an evaporating sessile droplet of water with polystyrene micro-spheres of 1.0 μm in diameter in suspension is described. The initial volume of the droplets is in the range from 0.6 to 1.0 μl, and observations were made in the last stages before total evaporation. The flow was recorded in a sequence of images that were analyzed with a micro-PIV system to extract quantitative information. Also, using image analysis techniques we determined the dynamics of the retreating liquid film once unpinned from the original contact line. Additionally, we have explored its correlation to the formation of the sediment pattern which is organized in elongated mounds roughly deposited in azimuthal and radial orientations. It is found that the aggregation dynamics of micro-spheres in the segments of the two orientations is different. This might have a substantial influence on the final arrangement of micro-spheres in the sediments.