Diffusion-induced spontaneous pattern formation on gelation surfaces

Abstract

Although the pattern formation on polymer gels has been considered as a result of the mechanical instability due to the volume phase transition, we found a macroscopic surface pattern formation not caused by the mechanical instability. It develops on gelation surfaces, and we consider the reaction-diffusion dynamics mainly induces a surface instability during polymerization. Random and straight stripe patterns were observed, depending on gelation conditions. We found the scaling relation between the characteristic wavelength and the gelation time. This scaling is consistent with the reaction-diffusion dynamics and would be a first step to reveal the gelation pattern formation dynamics.