Hierarchical self-assembly of 3D lattices from polydisperse anisometric colloids

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09787-6
• Publication Date: 2019-04-18T10:08:13Z
• Authors: Binbin Luo; Ahyoung Kim; John W. Smith; Zihao Ou; Zixuan Wu; Juyeong Kim; Qian Chen
• Keywords: Dispersity; Nanometre; Lattice (music)

Colloids are mainly divided into two types defined by size. Micron-scale colloids widely used as model systems to study phase transitions, while nanoparticles have physicochemical properties unique their Here we a promising yet underexplored third type: anisometric colloids, which integrate micrometer and nanometer dimensions the same particle. We show that our prototypical system of silver plates with high polydispersity assemble, unexpectedly, an ordered, three-dimensional lattice. Real-time imaging interaction modeling elucidate crucial role anisometry, directs hierarchical assembly secondary building blocks-columns-which sufficiently monodisperse for further ordering. Ionic strength plate tip morphology control shape columns, therefore final lattice structures (hexagonal versus honeycomb). Our joint experiment-modeling demonstrates potentials encoding unconventional in can likely introduce behaviors inaccessible micron- or nanometer-scale colloids.