Researchers use Monte Carlo simulation techniques to determine the thermodynamically optimal structure for spherical colloids with different diameters. The question being, what stable lattice structures arise from packing of polydisperse particles? The authors take into account fractionation, the phenomenon where particle diameters can vary from one coexisting phase to another, for their simulations.
Hot Article: Polydispersity induced solid–solid transitions in model colloids
01 Apr 2011