Influence of colloidal particle transfer on the quality of self-assembling colloidal photonic crystal under confined condition

The relationship between colloidal particle transfer and the quality of colloidal photonic crystal（CPC） is investigated by comparing colloidal particle self-assembling under the vertical channel（VC） and horizontal channel（HC） conditions.Both the theoretical analyses and the experimental measurements indicate that crystal quality depends on the stability of mass transfer.For the VC,colloidal particle transfer takes place in a stable laminar flow,which is conducive to forming high-quality crystal.In contrast,it happens in an unstable turbulent flow for the HC.Crystals with cracks and an uneven surface formed under the HC condition can be seen from the images of a field emission scanning electron microscope（SEM） and a three-dimensional（3D） laser scanning microscope（LSM）,respectively.

Thermodynamic Stability of Ultrafine Monodispersed Colloidal Particles of Basic Yttrium Carbonate

A series of thermodynamic parameters in formation of ultrafine monodispersed colloidal particles of Y(OH)CO3 were measured, estimated and calculated. The thermodynamic stability of Y(OH)CO3 colloidal particles was studied and discussed by phenomenological model. It is suggested that ultrafine monodispersed colloidal particles of Y(OH)CO3 are stable only in a very narrow temporary supersaturation range ( 1<x<1 .08).

Solid-liquid transition induced by the anisotropic diffusion of colloidal particles

We numerically study the phase behaviors of colloids with anisotropic diffusion in two dimensions. It is found that the diffusion anisotropy of colloidal particles plays an important role in the phase transitions. A strong diffusion anisotropy induces the large vibration of particles, subsequently, the system goes into a disordered state. In the presence of the strong-coupling, particles with weak diffusion anisotropy can freeze into hexagonal crystals. Thus, there exists a solid-liquid transition. With the degree of diffusion anisotropy increasing, the transition points are shifted to the strongercoupled region. A competition between the degree of diffusion anisotropy and coupling strength widens the transition region where the heterogeneous structures coexist, which results in a broad-peak probability distribution curve for the local order parameter. Our study may be helpful for the experiments related to the phase behavior in statistical physics, materials science and biophysical systems.

Determination of Particle Sizes and Crystalline Phases on Colloidal Silicon Nanoparticle Suspensions

Particle size and crystallinity of silicon nanoparticles were determined by analyzing the optical extinction spectra of colloidal suspensions. Experimental results from these colloids were anaiyzed using Mie theory in connection with effective medium theory, in order to determine particle sizes and their internal structure with the simple technique of optical transmission spectroscopy. By modeling an effective refractive index for the particles, the crystalline volume fraction can be extracted from extinction spectra in addition to information about the size. The crystalline volume fraction determined in this way were used to calibrate the ratio of the Raman cross sections for nanocrystalline and amorphous silicon, which was found to be σc./σa = 0.66

Sterically Stabilized Poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Colloidal Dispersions Doped with Different Sulfonic Acids

The preparation of sterically stabilized poly（3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene）（PEDOT） colloidal dispersions doped with different sulfonic acids is described. Three different sulfonic acids, i.e., p-toluenesulfonic acid, β-naphthalenesulfonic acid and D-camphor-10-sulfonic acid are used, facilitating the preparation of sterically stable PEDOT colloidal particles. The influences of the dopants and concentration of polymeric stabilizer on the yields, morphologies and electrical properties of the resultant colloidal particles were investigated. The colloidal particles with the size ranging from 172 to 334 nm have been obtained in good yields. The compressed pellet conductivity was as high as 4.5 Scm^-1

Incorporated Organic Modified Ag Nanoparticles in Ormocer

Ag nanoparticles coated trisodium citrate were incorporated in ormocer by sol-gel method. The doping concentration of Ag in ormocer is about 1.0% in weight. The HRTEM demonstrated that the particles disperse in ormocer, and the size of Ag nanoparticles is 5-10 nm. The absorption band of Ag nanoparticle at 410 nm was observed.

Self-assembly of latex particles for colloidal crystals

Self-assembly of latex particles is of great importance for fabricating various functional colloidal crystals. In this paper, we review recent research on the self-assembly of latex particles for colloidal crystals, covering the assembly forces and various assembly approaches of latex particles, including self-assembly by gravity sedimentation, vertical deposition, physical confinement, electric field, and magnetic field. Furthermore, some simple methods for assembling latex particles such as spin coating, spray coating, and printing are also summarized.

The Use of Aloe vera as Natural Coagulant in Algerian Drinking Water Treatment Plant

The purpose of this work is the study the ability of the plant material Aloe vera to act as natural coagulant using raw water obtained from a drinking water treatment plant(Mila,Algeria).Different solvents such as:NaCl;NaOH and HCl were used as chemical activators to extract the active components from the Aloe vera plant,and different coagulation-flocculation experiments were conducted in a jar test apparatus to evaluate the perfor-mance of the extracted coagulant.Also,the effect of coagulant dose on some water parameters such as turbidity,pH,total alkalinity and organic matter were investigated.The results showed that the use of coagulants obtained by using different solvents increases the coagulation efficiency compared to the coagulant obtained from the raw material,for example the maximum turbidity removal efficiency was 28.23,78.07,83.46 and 85.15%when using powdered Aloe vera(raw material),AV-NaCl(0.5 M),AV-NaOH(0.05 M)and AV-HCl(0.05 M),respectively.The results defined,that the residual turbidity obtained in this work,where the Aloe vera was used(after treat-ment by solvents)produced a turbidity lower than the Algerian standard(5 NTU)with initial turbidity(13 NTU).In this study,the infrared spectrum study and analysis has revealed the presence of different functional groups,which are responsible for the coagulation process.

PROGRESS IN THREE-DIMENSIONALLY ORDERED SELF-ASSEMBLY OF COLLOIDAL SiO2 PARTICLES

Three-dimensionally ordered self-assembly of monodispersed colloidal SiO2 particles involving a structure with periodic alternation of refractive indices represents an advanced field of particuology, colloidal chemistry, materials science, optical physics and information science. Study on such self-assembly not only lays the foundation for the development of advanced functional materials, but also is significant in understanding the principles of nano- and micro-scale processes. Recent progress in three-dimensionally ordered self-assembly of colloidal SiO2 particles is reviewed, inclusive of the authors investigations.

Effects of dielectric decrement on surface potential in a mixed electrolyte solution

Surface potential is an important parameter related to the physical and chemical properties of charged particles. A simple analytical model for the estimation of surface potential is established based on the Poisson–Boltzmann theory with the consideration of the dielectric decrement in mixed electrolyte. The analytical relationships between surface potential and charge density are derived in different mixed electrolytes with monovalent and bivalent ions. The dielectric decrease on the charged surface strongly affects the surface potential at a high charge density with different ion strengths and concentration ratios of counter-ions. The surface potential based on the Gouy–Chapman model is underestimated because of the dielectric decrement on the surface. The diffuse layer can be regarded as a continuous uniform medium only when the surface charge density is lower than 0.3 C·m-2. However, the surface charge densities of many materials in practical applications are higher than 0.3 C·m-2. The new model for the estimation of surface potential can return to the results obtained based on the Gouy–Chapman model at a low charge density. Therefore, it is implied that the established model that considers the dielectric decrement is valid and widely applicable.

Synthesis of colloid silica coated with ceria nano-particles with the assistance of PVP

In this paper, a facile synthesis of 100 nm commercial colloid silica coated with nano-ceria core-shell composite particles by the precipitation method using ammonium cerium nitrate and urea as a precipitator with polyvinylpyrrolidone （PVP） as an assistant was briefly introduced. The results showed that the colloid silica was surrounded by nano-ceria uniformly forming the core-shell composite particles. The synthesis process was further discussed and optimized. It was found that the type and quantity of surfactant played a key role in the process. PVP connected the surface of colloid silica and that of the ceria precursor.

Study on Electric Double Layer of a Cylindrical Particle with Functional Theoretical Approach

A new method, i.e. the iterative method in functional theory, was introduced to solve analytically the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann （PB） equation under general potential ψ condition for the electric double layer of a charged cylindrical colloid particle in a symmetrical electrolyte solution. The iterative solutions of ψ are expressed as functions of the distance from the axis of the particle with solution parameters： the concentration of ions c, the aggregation number of ions in a unit length m, the dielectric constant e, the system temperature T and so on. The relative errors show that generally only the first and the second iterative solutions can give accuracy higher than 97%. From the second iterative solution the radius and the surface potential of a cylinder have been defined and the corresponding values have been estimated with the solution parameters, Furthermore, the charge density, the activity coefficient of ions and the osmotic coefficient of solvent were also discussed,

Unraveling the size distributions of surface properties for purple soil and yellow soil

Soils contain diverse colloidal particles whose properties are pertinent to ecological and human health, whereas few investigations systematically analyze the surface properties of these particles. The objective of this study was to elucidate the surface properties of particles within targeted size ranges（i.e. 〉 10, 1-10, 0.5-1, 0.2-0.5 and 〈 0.2 μm） for a purple soil（Entisol） and a yellow soil（Ultisol） using the combined determination method. The mineralogy of corresponding particle-size fractions was determined by X-ray diffraction.We found that up to 80% of the specific surface area and 85% of the surface charge of the entire soil came from colloidal-sized particles（〈 1 μm）, and almost half of the specific surface area and surface charge came from the smallest particles（〈 0.2 μm）. Vermiculite,illite, montmorillonite and mica dominated in the colloidal-sized particles, of which the smallest particles had the highest proportion of vermiculite and montmorillonite. For a given size fraction, the purple soil had a larger specific surface area, stronger electrostatic field, and higher surface charge than the yellow soil due to differences in mineralogy.Likewise, the differences in surface properties among the various particle-size fractions can also be ascribed to mineralogy. Our results indicated that soil surface properties were essentially determined by the colloidal-sized particles, and the 〈 0.2 μm nanoparticles made the largest contribution to soil properties. The composition of clay minerals within the diverse particle-size fractions could fully explain the size distributions of surface properties.