Crystalline order of polymer nanoparticles over large areas at solid/liquid interfaces

• We report on the formation of large two-dimensional domains (about 20 cm2) of oriented and ordered structures of polystyrene particles dispersed in water at a solid/liquid interface.  Gentle flow of the dispersed sample into the holder at a shear strain rate of about 0.1 s−1 caused particles at the air/latex meniscus to self-assemble in a regular structure on both solid silica or alumina surfaces.  Scattering experiments show that the particle separation at the surface was the same as in the bulk and determined by repulsion arising from the charges on the particles.  Close-packed planes formed parallel to the interface.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)