Colloidal crystals

Abstract

The so-called colloidal crystals are monodisperse colloids in which colloidal particles organize themselves in long-range-ordered crystals. First, the monodispersity of colloidal particles and their interactions, essential for crystallization phenomenon, are discussed and illustrated using examples of natural and synthetic colloidal crystals. Next, among several extraordinary physical properties of colloidal crystals, light diffraction, viscoelasticity and shear flow effects are described in more detail. Finally, it is shown that by using colloidal crystals confined in very thin layers one can study the behaviour of two- and quasi-two-dimensional systems. In particular, a brief account is given of a series of structural transitions, characteristic of confinement from three to two dimensions.