Crystals from charged colloids and emulsion droplets

P. Chaikin

    Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Colloidal crystals resulting from charged stabilized particles in water are well known. Here we describe experiments on colloidal and water droplets particles in largely non conducting, oil based systems such as decalin/CHB (cyclohexyl bromide). The non aqueous environment greatly reduces the electrostatic screening and yields "classical Wigner crystals" with lattice constants as large as 40 microns. Water droplets in these oils are also charged and form similar crystals. Water with its high dielectric constant acts as an ion pump for the oil. Mixtures of charged colloids and water droplets produce two dimensional Wigner crystals (due to image charges), colloidosomes (water droplets coated with a monolayer of colloidal particles) and confined finite number (2,3,4...) Wigner crystals in two and three dimensions.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Number of pages1
    JournalJournal De Physique. IV : JP
    Volume131
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2005
    EventECRYS-2005: International Workshop on Electronic Crystals - Cargese, France
    Duration: Aug 21 2005Aug 27 2005

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Physics and Astronomy

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