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Photoswitchable Dissipative Two‐Dimensional Colloidal Crystals
Author(s) -
Vialetto Jacopo,
Anyfantakis Manos,
Rudiuk Sergii,
Morel Mathieu,
Baigl Damien
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201904093
Subject(s) - crystallization , dissipative system , colloid , materials science , colloidal crystal , dissipative particle dynamics , nanotechnology , suspension (topology) , chemical physics , desorption , chemical engineering , colloidal particle , adsorption , chemistry , polymer , physics , composite material , thermodynamics , mathematics , homotopy , pure mathematics , engineering
Control over particle interactions and organization at fluid interfaces is of great importance both for fundamental studies and practical applications. Rendering these systems stimulus‐responsive is thus a desired challenge both for investigating dynamic phenomena and realizing reconfigurable materials. Here, we describe the first reversible photocontrol of two‐dimensional colloidal crystallization at the air/water interface, where millimeter‐sized assemblies of microparticles can be actuated through the dynamic adsorption/desorption behavior of a photosensitive surfactant added to the suspension. This allows us to dynamically switch the particle organization between a highly crystalline (under light) and a disordered (in the dark) phase with a fast response time (crystallization in ≈10 s, disassembly in ≈1 min). These results evidence a new kind of dissipative system where the crystalline state can be maintained only upon energy supply.