Publication: Direct visualization of three-dimensional crystallization behavior in microgels
No Thumbnail Available
Open/View Files
Date
2012
Authors
Published Version
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Physical Society
The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you.
Citation
Muluneh, Melaku, and David A. Weitz. 2012. “Direct Visualization of Three-Dimensional Crystallization Behavior in Microgels.” Physical Review E85 (2): 021405. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.021405.
Research Data
Abstract
We use confocal microscopy to study the three-dimensional (3D) structure of colloidal crystals formed by poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-(acrylic acid) microgels of diameter 1.0-1.5 mu m. The confocal images are tracked to locate particle positions in 3D, which are used to compute pair-correlation functions g(r), bond order parameters, and structure factors s(q). We find that the structure remains fcc for a range of charge, size, and concentration of the particles. When the particles are weakly attractive and are at low concentrations, polycrystalline solids result. In addition, owing to the compressibility of the colloids, the crystals display remarkable structural stability when subjected to external stress.
Description
Other Available Sources
Keywords
Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material (LAA), as set forth at Terms of Service