Colloidal crystals formed by polymer brush-afforded fine particles

Abstract

This review highlights the recent development of a new family of colloidal crystals. In this system, monodisperse fine particles grafted with a concentrated polymer brush layer are used as a building block for the crystallization. Unlike the previously known (soft and hard) colloidal crystals, the driving force of crystallization in the new system is a long-range repulsive (non-interpenetrating) interaction between the highly swollen concentrated brush layers. The crystallization concentration is situated between those of typical soft and hard systems. Hence this is termed a semisoft system. Advantages of semisoft colloidal crystal include controllability of interparticle distance and crystal structure by controlling the graft chain length and density, applicability of various particles, applicability of various monomers, and usability of various solvents and solvent mixtures.