Rim instability by solvent-induced dewetting

We study the condition of the occurrence of the rim instability in the solvent-induced dewetting process. Our experimental results show that the film thickness not only greatly influences the occurrence of the rim instability, but also influences the wavelength lambda as characterized by the undulation of the deformed contact line. The molecular weight of polymer does not almost influence the occurrence of the rim instability and the wavelength lambda. The wavelength lambda is proportional to the width of the rim in the rim instability region. The receding contact angle theta of polymer solutions on substrates in the dewetting process is an important factor to influence the rim instability in the solvent-induced dewetting. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.