Patterning of a Drying Emulsion Film

Stabilizing layers of colloidal dispersions or emulsions to obtain homogeneous films is a real challenge. We describe here new kind instability in drying emulsions: during evaporation the internal phase, cracks appear between droplets that create aggregates according regular pattern. show this pattern only appears if emulsion adhesive, i.e., stick together. The exhibits characteristic length which depends on adhesion strength and film thickness. These experimental results support model where due gel structure elastic properties adhesive emulsions. Understanding phenomenon will allow us get control it structured materials.