Manipulating the self assembly of colloids in electric fields

• Published in: The European physical journal. ST, Special topics Vol. 222; no. 11; pp. 2895 - 2909
• Main Authors: van Blaaderen, A., Dijkstra, M., van Roij, R., Imhof, A., Kamp, M., Kwaadgras, B. W., Vissers, T., Liu, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-11-2013
• Subjects: Atomic; Classical and Continuum Physics; Condensed Matter Physics; Materials Science; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Review; Colloidal Dispersion; Soft Matter; European Physical Journal Special Topic; Colloidal Crystal; Dipolar Interaction
• ISSN: 1951-6355; 1951-6401
• DOI: 10.1140/epjst/e2013-02065-0

During the last decade the focus in colloid science on self-assembly has moved from mostly spherical particles and interaction potentials to more and more complex particle shapes, interactions and conditions. In this minireview we focus on how external electric fields, which in almost all cases can be replaced by magnetic particles and fields for similar effects, are used to manipulate the self-assembly process of ever more complex colloids. We will illustrate typical results from literature next to examples of our own work on how electric fields are used to achieve a broad range of different effects guiding the self-assembly of colloidal dispersions. In addition, preliminary measurements and calculations on how electric fields can be used to induce lock-and-key interactions will be presented as well.