Hierarchical honeycomb structures utilized a dissipative process

Abstract Water droplets, which were surrounded by polymers, were used as capsules to form dissipative-hierarchy structures. Such droplets were spontaneously formed on an organic solvent surface in high-humidity air. Water suspension of polystyrene particles was dropped onto the organic solvent in high-humidity air. Consequently, polystyrene particles were transferred into the water droplets, due to lateral capillary force, and formed a honeycomb structure. The size of high-hierarchy (=polymer capsules) was 1–3 μm, and the size of small-hierarchy (=polystyrene particles) was 0.05–1 μm. The results suggest the possibility that any material that can be suspended in water would form into a periodic structure by the dissipative process.