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Like-charge attractions in metastable colloidal crystallites

Nature volume 385, pages 230–233 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

Sub-micrometre charged latex spheres can be suspended in water to form regular arrays known as colloidal crystals. In contrast to most conventional solids, colloidal crystals can be forced into metastable superheated states. The structure and dynamics of these metastable crystals show evidence for strong, long-range attractions between the similarly charged spheres. Such attractive interactions are inconsistent with the accepted theory of colloidal interactions, and might influence the properties of many natural and industrial suspensions.

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Author notes

  1. Amy E. Larsen

    Present address: Department of Physics, St Olaf College, 1520 St Olaf Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota, 55057, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. James Franck Institute and Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, 5640 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637, USA

    Amy E. Larsen & David G. Grier

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  1. Amy E. Larsen
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  2. David G. Grier
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Larsen, A., Grier, D. Like-charge attractions in metastable colloidal crystallites. Nature 385, 230–233 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/385230a0

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