Self-organization of TiO₂ microparticles on the surface of a thin liquid layer due to local heating and the formation of convective cells

The aggregation of TiO₂ microparticles followed by self-organization of a cluster of agglomerates at convective cells formation in a thin layer of water is studied experimentally. Complex behavior of the cluster is considered at a strong system deviation from equilibrium as a result of local heating. A periodic character of the behavior of a cluster of particles has been detected. Particle sizes and the number of cells change cyclically over time. Hexagonal convective cells have a very small size of about 50–100 μm (5–10 times less than the layer height). Data on the cluster occurrence and dissociation over time is provided. It is shown that when the particle diameter and the diameter of coagulated particles reach the maximum (the maximum diameter of the cluster corresponds to 100–130 μm, and the maximum diameter of the aggregate is 20–30 μm), the convective cells lose stability and the cluster partially disintegrates. Self-organization control using local heating can be effectively applied to create new materials, as well as in biology and medicine.