Microstructural ordering of nanofibers in flow-directed assembly
Files
Accepted manuscript
Supporting documentation
Date
2019-09
Authors
Gao, EnLai
Wang, ShiJun
Duan, Chuanhua
Xu, ZhiPing
Version
Accepted manuscript
Supporting documentation
Supporting documentation
OA Version
Citation
EnLai Gao, ShiJun Wang, ChuanHua Duan, ZhiPing Xu. 2019. "Microstructural ordering of nanofibers in flow-directed assembly." Science China Technological Sciences, Volume 62, Issue 9, pp. 1545 - 1554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-018-9421-5
Abstract
Fabrication of highly ordered and dense nanofibers assemblies is of key importance for high-performance and multi-functional material and device applications. In this work, we design an experimental approach in silico, where shear flow and solvent evaporation are applied to tune the alignment, overlap of nanofibers, and density of the assemblies. Microscopic dynamics of the process is probed by dissipative particle dynamics simulations, where hydrodynamic and thermal fluctuation effects are fully modeled. We find that microstructural ordering of the assembled nanofibers can be established within a specific range of the Peclet numbers and evaporation rates, while the properties of nanofibers and their interaction are crucial for the local stacking order. The underlying mechanisms are elucidated by considering the competition between hydrodynamic coupling and thermal fluctuation. Based on these understandings, a practical design of flow channels for nanofiber assembly with promising mechanical performance is outlined.