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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.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure

Published on: April 17, 2018

Dynamic Crystallization and Phase Transition in Evaporating Colloidal Droplets.

Xiao Wang¹, Longlong Wu¹, Geng Wang²

¹School of Physical Science and Technology , ShanghaiTech University , Shanghai 201210 , China.

|October 24, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Evaporating colloidal droplets exhibit unique crystallization behaviors. This study reveals dynamic nucleation and heterogeneous crystallization in polystyrene nanosphere droplets, linking structure to evaporation kinetics.

Keywords:

SAXS crystallization in situ phase transition self-assembly

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Last Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure

Fabricating High-viscosity Droplets using Microfluidic Capillary Device with Phase-inversion Co-flow Structure

Published on: April 17, 2018

Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

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Published on: May 20, 2014

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

Published on: May 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Colloid science
Materials science
Physical chemistry

Background:

Evaporating colloidal droplets are common but poorly understood, especially concerning evaporation kinetics, crystallization, and phase transitions.
Fundamental knowledge gaps exist regarding the interplay between volume fraction, crystallization, and phase transition dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structural evolution and drying dynamics of evaporating colloidal droplets containing polystyrene nanospheres.
To elucidate the relationships between evaporation kinetics, volume fraction, and the formation of superlattice structures.

Main Methods:

In situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for spatial and temporal resolution.
Ex situ electron microscopy for structural analysis.
Quantitative analysis based on the Onsager principle for evaporation kinetics.

Main Results:

Observed unconventional evaporation-driven heterogeneous crystallization.
Identified sequential stacking of face-centered cubic (fcc), random hexagonal close-packed (rhcp), and random close-packed (rcp) superlattice structures.
Coordinated crystallization and phase transitions with real-time volume fraction variations.

Conclusions:

Discovered a novel mechanism of dynamic nucleation and crystallization.
Revealed a strong link between structural heterogeneity and evaporation kinetics in colloidal systems.
Provided quantitative insights into evaporation kinetics, including concentration gradients, gelation, and cavitation.