Interactions, structural ordering and phase transitions in colloidal dispersions

The structural ordering in colloidal dispersions is found to be very similar to that of atomic systems, such as crystalline solids, atomic liquids and even glasses. A number of intrinsic as well as extrinsic parameters influence the stability of colloids and induce transitions between different phases. It is the richness of the phase behavior that makes the colloids interesting also from the fundamental point of view. This article reviews the recent advances in the area of ordering and phase transitions brought about by parameters such as particle volume fraction, surface charge density, polydispersity, added electrolyte and external fields, such as shear, electric, magnetic and laser optical fields. Some of the recent experimental techniques that provide insight into the ordering phenomena are also covered. Microscopic investigations of suspensions under confined geometries and their implications on current understanding of the effective interparticle interaction are discussed. Finally, recent efforts in the direction of epitaxial growth of ordered structures on specially designed templates and their applications in synthesizing advanced materials are also briefly reviewed.