[M-IS13] Interface- and nano-phenomena on crystal growth and dissolution

[MIS13-09] Multi-steps crystallization of heteroepitaxially grown binary colloidal crystals

*Nozawa Jun¹, Satoshi uda², Kozo Fujiwara¹ (1.Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2.New Industry Creation Hatchery Center, Tohoku University)

Keywords:colloidal crystals, epitaxial growth, multi-step nucleation

Binary colloidal crystals (BCCs) exhibit various useful characteristics for diverse applications of colloidal crystals. Additionally, they serve as a useful model system to understand the complex crystallization processes of atomic systems. Understanding the nucleation and growth processes of BCCs is essential for achieving controlled growth of desired crystals as well as the complex crystallization process. In this study, we have investigated the nucleation process of BCCs via colloidal heteroepitaxy, in which colloidal crystals are grown on a foreign crystal surface as a substrate. The substrates facilitate the formation of a metastable phase, which is observed in situ with single-particle resolution, revealing a detailed nucleation process: multi-step nucleation and composition-dependent nucleation rate. The composition of the initial solution affects the nucleation rate of the metastable phase as well as the final phase, which is critical for crystal growth control.