The formation of dewetting structures after evaporation of n-dodecane on graphite studied by atomic force microscopy

Evaporating dodecane from a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surface results in the formation of interesting nanoscale patterns and stable structures due to the drying and dewetting processes. The formation of these structures has been studied as a function of evaporation time and temperature using atomic force microscopy. Two different dewetting mechanisms are identified: nucleation of large holes and spinodal-like dewetting. In this system the spinodal-like dewetting pattern cannot be the result of destabilising long or short-range attractive forces. We argue that layering, adsorption and possible restructuring of the n-dodecane on graphite at ultra-low thickness can result in density variations destabilising the film.