Crystallization of Symmetry-controlled Colloidal Particle Assemblies

The phase behavior and crystallization kinetics of atomic and molecular crystals still remain unclear because of small atom or molecule size. On the other hand, the micro-sized conceptual analogy, colloidal particles, may provide a potential system to visualize the crystallization process under optical microscope. The aim of this project is to form open-packed crystal lattices from colloidal particles and study the crystallization process.

SEM image of square like structures

Re-dispersed structures in DI water

Brief scheme of preparing the pre-assembled multi-particle structures