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Programming Defects and Cavities into Colloidal Crystals Engineered With DNA
Rachel R Chan1,2, Kaitlin M Landy1,2, Kyle J Gibson1,2
1Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Researchers created colloidal crystals with internal defects using DNA-assembled nanoparticles. This method allows precise control over crystal structure and properties for advanced materials design.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Crystallography
Background:
- Seed-mediated growth is a known crystal formation process.
- Colloidal crystals are self-assembled nanoparticle arrays.
- Defects in crystals can significantly alter material properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for creating defects within colloidal crystals.
- To utilize programmable atom equivalents (PAEs) for defect engineering.
- To explore the impact of defect type on material properties.
Main Methods:
- Assembling DNA-functionalized nanoparticles (PAEs) into colloidal crystals.
- Using discrete PAEs as nucleation sites for seed-mediated growth.
- Introducing geometric mismatch between seed PAEs and lattice symmetry to create defects.
Main Results:
- Successfully incorporated particle and volume defects into colloidal crystal interiors.
- Demonstrated that geometric mismatch leads to lattice disorder and grain boundaries.
- Observed size- and shape-dependent near-infrared scattering in crystals with plasmonic defects.
Conclusions:
- Established a platform for deliberate 2D and 3D defect introduction in colloidal crystals.
- Findings suggest potential applications in thermal management, sensing, and catalysis.
- Programmable atom equivalents offer versatile control over defect engineering.
