We demonstrate a novel route of spatially organizing the colloid arrangementson the polymer-grafted substrate by use of self-consistent field and densityfunctional theories. We find that grafting of polymers onto a substrate caneffectively control spatial dispersions of deposited colloids as a result ofthe balance between colloidal settling force and entropically elastic force ofbrushes, and colloids can form unexpected ordered structures on a graftingsubstrate. The depositing process of colloidal particles onto the elastic"soft" substrate includes two steps: brush-mediated one-dimensional arrangementof colloidal crystals and controlled layer-by-layer growth driven entropicallyby non-adsorbing polymer solvent with increasing the particles. The resultindicates a possibility for the production of highly ordered and defect-freestructures by simply using the grafted substrate instead of periodicallypatterned templates, under appropriate selection of colloidal size, effectivedepositing potential, and brush coverage density.
展开▼
