2025-04-28 ニューヨーク大学 (NYU)
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2025/april/crystal-formation-zangenite.html
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58959-0
二成分コロイド系における非古典的結晶化経路の直接観察と制御 Direct observation and control of non-classical crystallization pathways in binary colloidal systems
Shihao Zang,Sanjib Paul,Cheuk W. Leung,Michael S. Chen,Theodore Hueckel,Glen M. Hocky & Stefano Sacanna
Nature Communications Published:17 April 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58959-0
Abstract
Crystallization stands as a prime example of self-assembly. Elementary building blocks converge, seemingly adhering to an intricate blueprint, orchestrating order from chaos. While classical theories describe crystallization as a monomer-by-monomer addition, non-classical pathways introduce complexity. Using microscopic charged particles as monomers, we uncover the mechanisms governing the formation of ionic colloidal crystals. Our findings reveal a two-step process, wherein metastable amorphous blobs condense from the gas phase, before evolving into small binary crystals. These small crystals then grow into large faceted structures via three simultaneous processes: addition of free monomers from bulk, capture and absorption of surrounding blobs, and oriented attachment of other crystals. These complex crystallization pathways occur both in bulk and on surfaces across a range of particle sizes and interaction strengths, resulting in a diverse array of crystal types and morphologies. Harnessing our ability to tune the interaction potential through small changes in salt concentration, we developed a continuous dialysis approach that allows fine control over the interaction strength in both time and space. This method enables us to discover and characterize various crystal structures in a single experiment, including a previously unreported low-density hollow structure and the heteroepitaxial formation of composite crystal structures.
