Microscopic origins of the crystallographically preferred growth in evaporation-induced colloidal crystals.

ABSTRACT: Unlike crystalline atomic and ionic solids, texture development due to crystallographically preferred growth in colloidal crystals is less studied. Here we investigate the underlying mechanisms of the texture evolution in an evaporation-induced colloidal assembly process through experiments, modeling, and theoretical analysis. In this widely used approach to obtain large-area colloidal crystals, the colloidal particles are driven to the meniscus via the evaporation of a solvent or matrix precursor solution where they close-pack to form a face-centered cubic colloidal assembly. Via two-dimensional large-area crystallographic mapping, we show that the initial crystal orientation is dominated by the interaction of particles with the meniscus, resulting in the expected coalignment of the close

SUBMITTER: Li L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8364128 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature