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Structures of Solids

Structures of Solids

Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...

Ionic Crystal Structures

Ionic Crystal Structures

Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...

Metallic Solids

Metallic Solids

Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...

Lattice Centering and Coordination Number

Lattice Centering and Coordination Number

The structure of a crystalline solid, whether a metal or not, is best described by considering its simplest repeating unit, which is referred to as its unit cell. The unit cell consists of lattice points that represent the locations of atoms or ions. The entire structure then consists of this unit cell repeating in three dimensions. The three different types of unit cells present in the cubic lattice are illustrated in Figure 1.
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent – the...

Unit Cells

Unit Cells

A crystal's internal structure is an orderly array of atoms, ions, or molecules, and the details of this array significantly influence the solid's properties. In a crystal, periodically repeating 'structural motifs' - which could be atoms, molecules, or groups thereof - create a 'space lattice.' This is essentially a three-dimensional, infinite array of points, each surrounded by its neighbors in an identical way, forming the basic structure of the crystal.A 'unit cell' is a theoretical...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication

Preparation of Large-area Vertical 2D Crystal Hetero-structures Through the Sulfurization of Transition Metal Films for Device Fabrication

Published on: November 28, 2017

Layer-by-layer growth of binary colloidal crystals.

Krassimir P Velikov¹, Christina G Christova, Roel P A Dullens

¹Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, Netherlands. k.p.velikov@phys.uu.nl

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|April 6, 2002

Summary

Researchers created binary colloidal crystals with controlled orientation using a simple layer-by-layer method. This technique allows for precise arrangement of large (L) and small (S) particles, forming structures like LS2, LS, and LS3 superstructures.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Colloid Science

Background:

Colloidal crystals are essential for photonic applications.
Controlling crystal orientation is crucial for advanced material design.
Existing methods for binary colloidal crystal fabrication are often complex.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a simple layer-by-layer process for controlled growth of binary colloidal crystals.
To achieve precise control over crystal orientation and stoichiometry.
To explore the formation of novel superstructures in binary colloidal systems.

Main Methods:

Utilizing a layer-by-layer assembly technique.
Employing spheres of different compositions and sizes.
Leveraging the templating effect of the first layer and surface tension during drying.

Main Results:

Successfully generated well-ordered single binary colloidal crystals with LS2 and LS stoichiometries.
Observed the formation of an LS3 superstructure.
Demonstrated selective removal of one component to create a hexagonal non-close-packed colloidal crystal.

Conclusions:

The layer-by-layer process offers a simple and effective method for fabricating binary colloidal crystals with controlled orientation.
The templating effect and surface tension play key roles in structure formation.
This approach enables the creation of complex colloidal structures and opens possibilities for tunable material properties.