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Abstract
The self-organization of colloidal nanoparticles into complex structures, both in equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium, is a critical area in colloidal science with potential applications in creating new functional materials. While equilibrium assemblies yield thermodynamically stable and periodic structures, non-equilibrium (or active) assemblies exhibit dynamic, reconfigurable behavior in response to external stimuli. As a consequence, understanding the structure-function relationships in these assemblies remain challenging due to their transient, highly dynamic nature and the limitations of current characterization methods. In this work, we present a novel methodology for Fixation and Resolution of Colloidal Active Matter Ensembles (FRAME). FRAME combines UV photopolymerization to immobilize non-equilibrium (active) colloidal assembly with high-resolution imaging techniques, such as 3D confocal microscopy and SEM, for subsequent structural characterization. We demonstrate this method on Optical Matter (OM) structure formed by an optical trap at glass/water interface where it enables the preservation and detailed analysis of OM structures, using colloidal nanoparticles ranging from 200 nm to 1 μm. We demonstrate the method's efficacy by validating that the immobilization process does not alter the structural properties, allowing for accurate structural analysis. Additionally, this approach enables the capture of dynamic snapshots of the assembly during its formation, providing critical insights into its transient behavior. FRAME offers a new avenue for investigating non-equilibrium colloidal assemblies, paving the way for their rational design and application across a broad range of colloidal systems.
Supplementary materials
Title
High resolution imaging of non-equilibrium colloidal self-assembly enabled by photopolymerization
Description
The self-organization of colloidal nanoparticles into complex structures, both in equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium, is a vital area in colloidal science with numerous applications in functional materials. Equilibrium assemblies result in stable, periodic structures, while non-equilibrium (active) assemblies demonstrate dynamic, reconfigurable behavior in response to external stimuli. However, studying these assemblies remains challenging due to their transient nature and limitations in characterization techniques. In this work, we introduce the Fixation and Resolution of Colloidal Active Matter Ensembles (FRAME), a novel method that combines UV photopolymerization to immobilize non-equilibrium assemblies with high-resolution imaging techniques like 3D confocal microscopy and SEM. Using FRAME, we preserve and analyze optical matter structures formed by optical traps at the glass-water interface, allowing for accurate structural analysis of colloidal nanoparticles (200 nm to 1 μm). This technique provides new insights into dynamic colloidal assemblies, offering potential for advanced material design.
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