Colloidal phenomena reflect the interplay between interfacial solution structure, interparticle forces, and dynamical response

Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of colloidal systems are central to both natural and synthetic processes that enable a wide range of energy and environmental applications. These properties are an emergent outcome of the structure that colloidal systems adopt in response to the interplay of electrical, van der Waals, hydration, and steric forces coupled to the inherent fluctuations of the system. Here we review the nature of those forces and show how variations in their relative importance lead to distinct free energy landscapes and consequent dynamic behaviors, illustrated for colloidal dispersions, nanocrystal superlattices, and single crystals formed through oriented attachment. We end by discussing the challenges to future progress arising from the need to seamlessly couple from molecular to particle to ensemble scales.