Stripe and Network Formation of Particle Arrays Fabricated by Convective Self-assembly.

Films of silica-particle arrays patterned in stripes and networks were prepared with the aid of convective self-assembly: a simple technique for ordering particles into two- or three-dimensional arrays. With this technique, stripe- and network-patterned films were fabricated by periodically dragging a small volume of colloidal silica suspension on a substrate with a low contact angle for the suspension used. The network and stripe structures could be controlled by changing the particle concentration and withdrawal distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]