The structure and melting transition of two-dimensional colloidal alloys

Law, A. D.; Horozov, T. S.; Buzza, D. M A

Abstract

We study theoretically the structure and melting transition of two-dimensional (2D) binary mixtures of colloidal particles interacting via a dipole-dipole potential. Using a lattice sum method, we find that at zero temperature (T = 0) the system forms a rich variety of stable crystalline phases whose structure depends on the composition and dipole moment ratio. Using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, we also find that the melting temperature of the different T = 0 structures is a very strong and non-monotonic function of composition. For example, from a direct analysis of the radial distribution function vs.temperature, we find that the melting temperature of hexagonal AB 2 and AB 6 phases is three orders of magnitude higher than that of hexagonal AB 5 . Finally the melting transition for our binary colloidal system is found to proceed via at least two stages for hexagonal AB 2 and AB 6 and at least three stages for hexagonal AB 5 and is thus much richer compared to the melting transition of 2D one component colloidal systems. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Citation

Law, A. D., Horozov, T. S., & Buzza, D. M. A. (2011). The structure and melting transition of two-dimensional colloidal alloys. Soft matter, 7(19), 8923-8931. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1sm05446e

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 6, 2011
• Publication Date: Oct 10, 2011
• Journal: SOFT MATTER
• Print ISSN: 1744-683X
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 19
• Pages: 8923-8931
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/c1sm05446e
• Keywords: molecular-dynamics simulation order-disorder transition 2 dimensions particle monolayers water-interface binary-mixtures phase
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/405472
• Publisher URL: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/SM/c1sm05446e#!divAbstract