Two-dimensional Crystallization of Silica nanospheres using Coplanar DC Electric field

Abstract

Two-dimensional crystal has been achieved and controlled
with the aid of DC electric field applied between two electrodes at 5
millimeters separating distance between them. Sol-gel method has
been used to prepared nanosilica particle which used in this work as
well as TiO2 nanopaowder. The assembly of the silica particles is
due to the interaction between the electrical force, the particles
dipole, and the interaction between the particles themselves. When a
DC voltage is applied, the particles accumulated and crystallized on
the surface between the electrodes. The Light diffraction
demonstrates that the hexagonal crystal is always oriented with one
axis along the direction of the field. The particles disassemble when
the field is turned off, and the process can be repeated many times.
The diffraction patterns from all consecutively formed crystals are
identical. This assembly is driven by forces that depend on the
electric field gradient; the process can be controlled via the external
field strength, and the viscosity of the liquid media.