Resin-Immobilized 2D Colloidal Crystals for Drying Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming two-dimensional charged colloidal crystals result in disturbed crystal structures due to capillary forces during drying, and limited functionality due to the use of a single type of colloidal particle, restricting their application in materials requiring multiple reflection or absorption bands.
Innovation Solution
The immobilization of a two-dimensional colloidal crystal using a resin restricts particle movement, allowing for a stable crystal structure and enabling the use of multiple types of colloidal particles, which can be adsorbed in layers to create a crystal with a four- or six-fold symmetric pattern, and reinforced with polymerizable monomers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a two-dimensional charged colloidal crystal is formed from a liquid dispersion, then the crystal structure can be easily formed through self-organization, but the crystal structure becomes disturbed during drying due to capillary forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the two-dimensional colloidal crystal structure on a substrate before the drying process occurs. The crystal is self-assembled from liquid dispersion and then fixed in place before capillary forces can disturb it, preventing the worsening of crystal structure stability during drying.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single type of colloidal particle is used to form the crystal, then the formation process is simple, but the functionality is limited and cannot provide multiple reflection or absorption bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple types of colloidal particles (different materials, sizes, or compositions) within the same two-dimensional crystal structure. This allows the crystal to exhibit multiple optical functions such as multiple reflection or absorption bands while maintaining the self-organized formation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing different types of colloidal particles at specific locations or layers within the crystal structure. This enables different regions of the crystal to provide different optical functions, achieving versatility while preserving the overall ease of formation through sequential or spatially-controlled assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the colloidal crystal is used in contact with liquid medium, then it maintains its formed structure, but it is difficult to apply in wider ranges of materials and applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the colloidal crystal from its liquid medium environment by forming it on a solid substrate. This allows the crystal to maintain its structured arrangement while being transferred to dry applications, enabling broader material compatibility and application ranges beyond liquid-contact scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The immobilized colloidal crystal maintains its structure during drying and provides multiple reflection or absorption bands, enhancing its applicability in optical and sensing materials by using a resin to stabilize the crystal and allowing for diverse particle compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a colloidal crystal formed of a single layer is immobilized by a resin
Implementation Method 2
The 'charged colloidal particles' having a charge on their surface align regularly and spontaneously with a distance in a dispersion of the charged colloidal particles when appropriate conditions are selected, due to electrostatic repulsive force acting between the particles
Implementation Method 3
there is a problem that the colloidal particles approach and aggregate each other by capillary force in a process of drying the crystal
Implementation Method 4
reinforced with polymerizable monomers
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is at least one of: 1) to provide a two-dimensional colloidal crystal having a hardly disturbed crystal structure, and a method for producing the same; and 2) to provide a two-dimensional colloidal crystal composed of a plurality of types of colloidal particles, and a method for producing the same.In an immobilized two-dimensional colloidal crystal of the present invention, a colloidal crystal 2 formed of a single layer is immobilized on a substrate 1 by a resin 3. A method for producing an immobilized two-dimensional colloidal crystal of the present invention includes a substrate preparation step S1 of preparing a substrate, a colloidal crystal dispersion preparation step S2 of preparing a charged colloidal crystal dispersion, a colloidal crystal adsorption step S3 of bringing the charged colloidal crystal dispersion into contact with the substrate, a cleaning step S4 of cleaning the substrate to form a two-dimensional colloidal crystal, and an immobilization step S5 of immobilizing the two-dimensional colloidal crystal.