Electric field-induced morphological changes on polymer surface using phase-field model

We propose a method for controlling the formation of microarray structures on the surface by using an electric field. In this study, a phase field model is employed to describe the formation of microstructures under the influence of the electric field. Initially, we utilize Cahn–Hilliard equation, Navier–Stokes equation, and Gaussian theory to construct the phase field model. Subsequently, we obtain the theoretical solution for the partial differential equations and apply numerical methods such as semi-implicit Fourier spectral and semi-implicit difference method. Finally, we establish the numerical model to observe the morphological changes on the polymer surface by changing the electric field strengths, the distribution and the radius of the electrode plate. Simulated observations show that the electric field induce the formation of microarray structures on the polymer surface successfully, and the microarray structures match the shape of the electric field. Additionally, higher electric field strength promotes the formation of morphological changes obviously. The distribution of microarray structures is controlled by changing the electric field distribution. These studies provide a theoretical basis for the fabrication of microarray structures.