Inward Flow of Micro-Particles in an Evaporating Di-Dispersed Colloid Droplet on Hydrophilic Surface

It is well known that the liquid and the nanoparticles in an evaporating colloid droplet on the hydrophilic surface move radially outward for the contact line to maintain its position. However, the motion of micro-/nano-particles in an evaporating di-dispersed colloid droplet has not been reported to date. In this study, an experiment on an evaporating di-dispersed colloid droplet on the hydrophilic surface is carried out. It is found that nano-particles move radially outward and remain at the contact line while micro-particles move inward toward the center of the droplet. Further the mechanism of the micro-particles moving toward the center of the droplet is found to be due to the surface tension force of the liquid.