Binary Colloidal Crystal Films Grown by Vertical Evaporation of Silica Nanoparticle Suspensions

Abstract

Despite intensive research efforts in the synthesis of binary colloidal crystals, the production of well ordered binary colloidal crystal films over large areas continues to be synthetically challenging. In this paper, we investigate the phase behavior of binary mixtures of l-arginine-stabilized 36 and 22 nm silica nanoparticles deposited as centimeter-scale thin films onto a vertical substrate via evaporative assembly. By adjusting the temperature and relative colloid composition under high humidity conditions, we controlled the order of the resultant colloidal crystal films. The domain size of the AB binary crystalline phase increased with an excess of small (B) particles and a very slow evaporation rate below 45 °C, with the best results obtained at 30° and 35 °C.

Photonics in nature and bioinspired designs: sustainable approaches for a colourful world

“…71,72 Vertical deposition opens up new designs like binary PCs by using nanoparticles with different sizes (Fig. 11) 73 and also functionalized PCs, such as with uorescent probes. 74 The use of this technique is illustrated in a new method engineered for polyester fabric colouration, without the use of chemical dyes and pigments, which decreases pollution during the process.…”

Substrate-Immersed Solvothermal Synthesis of Ordered SiO2/Ag Arrays as Catalytic SERS Substrates

“…Various SERS substrates have been prepared successfully via di®erent methods including electrostatic assembly, 3 electrochemical deposition, 3 colloidal lithography 4 and template-etching route, 5 etc. Among these, SiO 2 colloidal crystals that are prepared by using vertical evaporation 6 or spin coating 7 can be used as ideal templates for the synthesis of various SERS substrates such as hollow Au nanostructures 8 and Au nanobowl arrays, 9 etc. On the one hand, the highly ordered arrangement of SiO 2 ensures the uniformity of SERS signals due to the almost identical deposition rate of Au or Ag nanoparticles.…”

Two-Component Fullerene Molecular Layers Assembled on the Au(111) Substrate

“…Being the simplest multicomponent materials, the binary system has attracted a high level of attention. By drying a suspension containing two kinds of particles with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as cores and different radii, Bartlett et al [11][12] have studied the binary mixtures of hard sphere colloids and found complex ordered structures such as AB 2 and AB 13 . The stoichiometry and stability of the BNSL depend on a number of factors including the electrical charge on the colloidal particle and the van der Waals forces 13 .…”