Entropic colloidal crystallization pathways via fluid-fluid transitions and multidimensional prenucleation motifs.

ABSTRACT: Complex crystallization pathways are common in protein crystallization, tetrahedrally coordinated systems, and biomineralization, where single or multiple precursors temporarily appear before the formation of the crystal. The emergence of precursors is often explained by a unique property of the system, such as short-range attraction, directional bonding, or ion association. But, structural characteristics of the prenucleation phases found in multistep crystallization remain unclear, and models are needed for testing and expanding the understanding of fluid-to-solid ordering pathways. Here, we report 3 instances of 2-step crystallization of hard-particle fluids. Crystallization in these systems proceeds via a high-density precursor fluid phase with prenucleation motifs in the form of clust

SUBMITTER: Lee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6660786 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature