Materials adopting certain structures possess useful electronic and photonic properties in atomic and colloidal systems, respectively, and make popular targets for synthesis from nanoparticles where the length scales are such that a photonic band gap is possible. The desirable photonic properties of the diamond structure in particular pose an interesting opportunity for reconfigurable colloidal crystals able to switch between different structures with different band gaps.<br/><br/>Drawing inspiration from high-pressure transitions of diamond-forming atomic systems, we design a system of polyhedrally-shaped colloidal particles with spherical cores that transitions from diamond to a tetragonal diamond derivative upon a small pressure change. The transition can alternatively be triggered by changing the shape of the particle in situ. We propose that the transition provides a reversible reconfiguration process for a potential new colloidal material, and draw parallels between this transition and phase behavior of the atomic transitions from which we take inspiration. We also discuss favorable characteristics of photonic colloidal crystals beyond the diamond structure.<br/>

Design and self-assembly of photonic colloidal crystals

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.