Thin films with self-assembled mesostructures are important in applications such as catalysis, synthesis, and biosensor technology. A major technique used to prepare such films is sol-gel processing. This technique involves depositing a complex fluid containing colloids, alcohol, and surfactants on a substrate by coating, followed by allowing the film to evaporate and form self-assembled mesostructures. The fundamental mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood.

Here, we present a program designed to explore the formation of self-assembled mesotructures with respect to coating dynamics and rheological properties of the fluids. By dip coating a plate through wormlike micellar solutions, we report systematic characterization of mesoporous films (film thickness and final surface morphology) synthesized under different physiochemical hydrodynamic conditions. We will present an interpretation of these observations in terms of the micellar kinetics, coating parameters, and also rheological properties of the fluids.