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Unexpected stability of aqueous dispersions of raspberry-like colloids

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Lan

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Alessio Caciagli

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Giulia Guidetti

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Ziyi Yu

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Ji Liu

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Villads E. Johansen

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Marlous Kamp

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Chris Abell

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Silvia Vignolini

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Oren A. Scherman

    (University of Cambridge
    University of Cambridge)

  • Erika Eiser

    (University of Cambridge)

Abstract

Aqueous colloidal suspensions, both man-made and natural, are part of our everyday life. The applicability of colloidal suspensions, however, is limited by the range of conditions over which they are stable. Here we report a novel type of highly monodisperse raspberry-like colloids, which are prepared in a single-step synthesis that relies on simultaneous dispersion and emulsion polymerisation. The resulting raspberry colloids behave almost like hard spheres. In aqueous solutions, such prepared raspberries show unexpected stability against aggregation over large variations of added salt concentrations without addition of stabilisers. We present simple Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) calculations performed on raspberry-like and smooth colloids showing that this stability results from our raspberries’ unique morphology, which extends our understanding of colloidal stability against salting. Further, the raspberries’ stability facilitates the formation of superspheres and thin films in which the raspberry colloids self-assemble into hexagonally close-packed photonic crystals with exquisite reproducibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Lan & Alessio Caciagli & Giulia Guidetti & Ziyi Yu & Ji Liu & Villads E. Johansen & Marlous Kamp & Chris Abell & Silvia Vignolini & Oren A. Scherman & Erika Eiser, 2018. "Unexpected stability of aqueous dispersions of raspberry-like colloids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-05560-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05560-3
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    Cited by:

    1. Yongyang Song & Jiajia Zhou & Zhongpeng Zhu & Xiaoxia Li & Yue Zhang & Xinyi Shen & Padraic O’Reilly & Xiuling Li & Xinmiao Liang & Lei Jiang & Shutao Wang, 2023. "Heterostructure particles enable omnidispersible in water and oil towards organic dye recycle," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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