Phase ordering, transformation, and grain growth of two-dimensional binary colloidal crystals: A phase field crystal modeling

Abstract

The formation and dynamics of a wide variety of binary two-dimensional ordered structures and superlattices are investigated through a phase field crystal model with sublattice ordering. Various types of binary ordered phases, the phase diagrams, and the grain growth dynamics and structural transformation processes, including the emergence of topological defects, are examined. The results are compared to the ordering and assembly of two-component colloidal systems. Two factors governing the binary phase ordering are identified, namely the coupling and competition between the length scales of two sublattices, and the selection of average particle densities of two components. The control and variation of these two factors lead to the prediction of various complex binary ordered patterns, with different types of sublattice ordering for integer versus noninteger ratios of sublattice length scales. These findings will enable further systematic studies of complex ordering and assembly processes of binary systems, particularly binary colloidal crystals.