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Direct visualization of three-dimensional crystallization behavior in microgels

Melaku Muluneh* and David A. Weitz

  • Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA

  • *mmuluneh@fas.harvard.edu
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Phys. Rev. E 85, 021405 – Published 10 February, 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.85.021405

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 μm. 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.

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Phys. Rev. E 85, 021405– Published 10 February, 2012
  • Received 8 November 2011
Article part of CHORUS

©2012 American Physical Society

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