Crystallographic deformation in mechanically soft colloidal crystals derived from polymeric latex dispersions

Mechanically soft colloidal crystals of macroscopic dimensions can be obtained via drying charge stabilized polymeric latex dispersions. This article discusses deformation mechanisms of such soft colloidal crystals by means of synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering techniques. Different from conventional crystalline materials, the structural units in the soft colloidal crystals are mechanically deformable. The micro-structural evolution of such soft colloidal crystals as a function of macroscopic deformation was considered. The main features during the deformation process can be identified such as affine deformation of latex particles with respect to the macroscopic one and slips of crystallographic planes within colloidal crystals. Despite the already illustrative experimental data present, understanding of the underlying mechanisms remains still largely descriptive. Therefore, a promising advancement in the knowledge of the fundamental properties of this kind of soft colloidal crystal is desired.