Customized Colloidal Crystals

Our Custom Solutions

Alfa Chemistry is able to prepare different types of colloidal crystals using a variety of techniques. Our custom types and process technologies include but are not limited to:

• One-dimensional colloidal crystals arrays (1D CCAs/colloid strings)

We were able to prepare one-dimensional colloidal crystals on substrates modified by a special process by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, solving the preparation difficulties caused by the interaction force between particle spheres.

Fig. 1 A general method for assembling 1D arrays of colloidal particles from their dilute monolayer.^[2]

• Two-dimensional colloidal crystals (2D CCs)

Two-dimensional colloidal crystals can be self-assembled using solvent evaporation, spin coating, and Langmuir-Blodgett techniques. We have achieved the ability to fabricate two-dimensional colloidal crystals with large areas and low defect densities through improved self-assembly methods.

• Three-dimensional colloidal crystals (3D CCs)

Alfa Chemistry can prepare three-dimensional colloidal crystals using solvent evaporation, filtration, centrifugation, dipping, spin coating, spray coating and Langmuir-Blodgett techniques. We are currently developing high quality 3D colloidal crystals with fewer defects, larger single crystal area and better thickness control.

Fig.2 Hexagonal and face centered cubic packing in the colloidal crystals. Insets show a schematic of two packing modes.^[3]

• Binary colloidal crystals (BCCs)

Using the co-assembly technique, we were able to successfully prepare binary colloidal crystals made from two different colloids in the laboratory.

• Other colloidal crystals

In addition to the above-mentioned single and binary colloidal crystals, we can also customize non-closely packed and multi-component colloidal crystals.

Our Technical Advantages

References

1. Cong H, et al. Current status and future developments in preparation and application of colloidal crystals. Chemical Society Reviews. 2014, 44(19):7774-7800.
2. Andrea R. Tao, et al. Langmuir-Blodgettry of Nanocrystals and Nanowires. Accounts of Chemical Research. 2009, 40(14).
3. Cong H, Cao W. Colloidal Crystallization Induced by Capillary Force. Langmuir. 2003, 19(20):8177-8181.

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