Self-assembly of Colloidal Superballs Under Uniform Compression

Understanding the relationship between colloidal building block shape and self-assembled material structure is important for the development of novel materials by self-assembly. In this regard, colloidal superballs are unique building blocks because their shape can smoothly transition between spherical and cubic. Assembly of colloidal superballs under uniform compression, attained from drying colloidal dispersion droplets on superhydrophobic plates, results in macroscopic opals with ordered internal structures. By utilizing Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS), we probe the internal structure of the droplets during compression. We identify and observe structure formation before a transition point that arises due to particle dewetting.