1
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Kuntz G, Huang J, Rask M, Lindgren-Ruby A, Shinsato JY, Bi D, Tabatabai AP. Spatial confinement affects the heterogeneity and interactions between shoaling fish. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12296. [PMID: 38811673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63245-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Living objects are able to consume chemical energy and process information independently from others. However, living objects can coordinate to form ordered groups such as schools of fish. This work considers these complex groups as living materials and presents imaging-based experiments of laboratory schools of fish to understand how activity, which is a non-equilibrium feature, affects the structure and dynamics of a group. We use spatial confinement to control the motion and structure of fish within quasi-2D shoals of fish and use image analysis techniques to make quantitative observations of the structures, their spatial heterogeneity, and their temporal fluctuations. Furthermore, we utilize Monte Carlo simulations to replicate the experimentally observed data which provides insight into the effective interactions between fish and confirms the presence of a confinement-based behavioral preference transition. In addition, unlike in short-range interacting systems, here structural heterogeneity and dynamic activities are positively correlated as a result of complex interplay between spatial arrangement and behavioral dynamics in fish collectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Kuntz
- Department of Physics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Junxiang Huang
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mitchell Rask
- Department of Physics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | | | - Jacob Y Shinsato
- Department of Physics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Dapeng Bi
- Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - A Pasha Tabatabai
- Department of Physics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA.
- Physics Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93410, USA.
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2
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Guan F, Guo X, Zeng K, Zhang S, Nie Z, Ma S, Dai Q, Pendry J, Zhang X, Zhang S. Overcoming losses in superlenses with synthetic waves of complex frequency. Science 2023; 381:766-771. [PMID: 37590345 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi1267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Superlenses made of plasmonic materials and metamaterials can image features at the subdiffraction scale. However, intrinsic losses impose a serious restriction on imaging resolution, a problem that has hindered widespread applications of superlenses. Optical waves of complex frequency that exhibit a temporally attenuating behavior have been proposed to offset the intrinsic losses in superlenses through the introduction of virtual gain, but experimental realization has been lacking because of the difficulty of imaging measurements with temporal decay. In this work, we present a multifrequency approach to constructing synthetic excitation waves of complex frequency based on measurements at real frequencies. This approach allows us to implement virtual gain experimentally and observe deep-subwavelength images. Our work offers a practical solution to overcome the intrinsic losses of plasmonic systems for imaging and sensing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuxin Guan
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiangdong Guo
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Materials and Devices, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Kebo Zeng
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Materials and Devices, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoyu Nie
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Shaojie Ma
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qing Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Materials and Devices, CAS Key Laboratory of Standardization and Measurement for Nanotechnology, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
| | - John Pendry
- The Blackett Laboratory, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, UK
| | - Xiang Zhang
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Faculty of Science, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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3
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Li S, He J, Qiao S, Zhang X, Liu B. Self-Assembled Tetratic Crystals by Orthogonal Colloidal Force. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2300642. [PMID: 36932933 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bonding simple building blocks to create crystalline materials with design has been sophisticated in the molecular world, but this is still very challenging for anisotropic nanoparticles or colloids, because the particle arrangements, including position and orientation, cannot be manipulated as expected. Here biconcave polystyrene (PS) discs to present a shape self-recognition route are used, which can control both the position and orientation of particles during self-assembly by directional colloidal forces. An unusual but very challenging two-dimensional (2D) open superstructure-tetratic crystal (TC)-is achieved. The optical properties of the 2D TCs are studied by the finite difference time domain method, showing that the PS/Ag binary TC can be used to modulate the polarization state of the incident light, for example, converting the linearly polarized light into left-handed or right-handed circularly polarized light. This work paves an important way for self-assembling many unprecedented crystalline materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Jingwen He
- National Physical Experiment Teaching Demonstration Center, Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, P. R. China
| | - Shuoyuan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Xinghua Zhang
- National Physical Experiment Teaching Demonstration Center, Department of Physics, School of Physical Science and Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, P. R. China
| | - Bing Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
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4
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Qiao S, Li S, Song Q, Liu B. Shape-Tunable Biconcave Disc-Like Polymer Particles by Swelling-Induced Phase Separation of Seeded Particles with Hydrophilic Shells. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:1190-1197. [PMID: 36621841 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Anisotropic shape-tunable polymer particles have gained significant attention for their wide applications, and their performances are usually strongly correlated to their shapes. In contrast to convex particles, the synthesis of highly uniform concave polymer particles remains a great challenge. Here, we present a facile and effective route to synthesize biconcave polystyrene (PS) discs by swelling-induced phase separation of hydrophilically modified PS microspheres and report an unexpected finding that even a tiny amount of hydrophilic units that were incorporated into PS microspheres can significantly change the shape of phase interfaces, resulting in the transformation of disc shapes from convex to flat to concave. This is realized by several typical hydrophilic monomers, such as sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS), acrylic acid (AA), or (2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (METAC). The effect of the distribution of hydrophilic units in microspheres was investigated, and the mechanism of shape tuning has been discussed. The curvatures of the bottom surfaces of discs show a strong correlation to the content of hydrophilic units. In particular, we emphasize that the shape control method is general since it does not depend on specific hydrophilic units. This research paves the way for precisely structuring polymer particle shapes, which is important for polymer particles to be used for self-assembly, diffusion, rheology, transport, filler, and many other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuoyuan Qiao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100149, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100149, China
| | - Qing Song
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100149, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing100149, China
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5
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Zhou Y, Tang TY, Lee BHJ, Arya G. Tunable Orientation and Assembly of Polymer-Grafted Nanocubes at Fluid-Fluid Interfaces. ACS NANO 2022; 16:7457-7470. [PMID: 35452220 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembly of faceted nanoparticles is a promising route for fabricating nanomaterials; however, achieving low-dimensional assemblies of particles with tunable orientations is challenging. Here, we demonstrate that trapping surface-functionalized faceted nanoparticles at fluid-fluid interfaces is a viable approach for controlling particle orientation and facilitating their assembly into unique one- and two-dimensional superstructures. Using molecular dynamics simulations of polymer-grafted nanocubes in a polymer bilayer along with a particle-orientation classification method we developed, we show that the nanocubes can be induced into face-up, edge-up, or vertex-up orientations by tuning the graft density and differences in their miscibility with the two polymer layers. The orientational preference of the nanocubes is found to be governed by an interplay between the interfacial area occluded by the particle, the difference in interactions of the grafts with the two layers, and the stretching and intercalation of grafts at the interface. The resulting orientationally constrained nanocubes are then shown to assemble into a variety of unusual architectures, such as rectilinear strings, close-packed sheets, bilayer ribbons, and perforated sheets, which are difficult to obtain using other assembly methods. Our work thus demonstrates a versatile strategy for assembling freestanding arrays of faceted nanoparticles with possible applications in plasmonics, optics, catalysis, and membranes, where precise control over particle orientation and position is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Tsung-Yeh Tang
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Brian Hyun-Jong Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Gaurav Arya
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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6
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Fan X, Walther A. 1D Colloidal chains: recent progress from formation to emergent properties and applications. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:4023-4074. [PMID: 35502721 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00112h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Integrating nanoscale building blocks of low dimensionality (0D; i.e., spheres) into higher dimensional structures endows them and their corresponding materials with emergent properties non-existent or only weakly existent in the individual building blocks. Constructing 1D chains, 2D arrays and 3D superlattices using nanoparticles and colloids therefore continues to be one of the grand goals in colloid and nanomaterial science. Amongst these higher order structures, 1D colloidal chains are of particular interest, as they possess unique anisotropic properties. In recent years, the most relevant advances in 1D colloidal chain research have been made in novel synthetic methodologies and applications. In this review, we first address a comprehensive description of the research progress concerning various synthetic strategies developed to construct 1D colloidal chains. Following this, we highlight the amplified and emergent properties of the resulting materials, originating from the assembly of the individual building blocks and their collective behavior, and discuss relevant applications in advanced materials. In the discussion of synthetic strategies, properties, and applications, particular attention will be paid to overarching concepts, fresh trends, and potential areas of future research. We believe that this comprehensive review will be a driver to guide the interdisciplinary field of 1D colloidal chains, where nanomaterial synthesis, self-assembly, physical property studies, and material applications meet, to a higher level, and open up new research opportunities at the interface of classical disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlong Fan
- Institute for Macromolecular Chemistry, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 31, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Andreas Walther
- A3BMS Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
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7
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Kennedy CL, Sayasilpi D, Schall P, Meijer JM. Self-assembly of colloidal cube superstructures with critical Casimir attractions. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2022; 34:214005. [PMID: 35203069 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac5866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The structure of self-assembled materials is determined by the shape and interactions of the building blocks. Here, we investigate the self-assembly of colloidal 'superballs', i.e. cubes with rounded corners, by temperature-tunable critical Casimir forces to obtain insight into the coupling of a cubic shape and short range attractions. The critical Casimir force is a completely reversible and controllable attraction that arises in a near-critical solvent mixture. Using confocal microscopy and particle tracking, we follow the self-assembly dynamics and structural transition in a quasi-2D system. At low attraction, we observe the formation of small clusters with square symmetry. When the attraction is increased, a transition to a rhombic Λ1-lattice is observed. We explain our findings by the change in contact area at faces and corners of the building blocks combined with the increase in attraction strength and range of the critical Casimir force. Our results show that the coupling between the rounded cubic shape and short-range attraction plays a crucial role for the superstructures that form and provide new insights for the active assembly control of micro and nanocubes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris L Kennedy
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 19, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Daphne Sayasilpi
- Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Schall
- Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Janne-Mieke Meijer
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 19, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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8
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Kao PK, Solomon MJ, Ganesan M. Microstructure and elasticity of dilute gels of colloidal discoids. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:1350-1363. [PMID: 34932058 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm01605a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The linear elasticity of dilute colloidal gels formed from discoidal latex particles is quantified as a function of aspect ratio and modeled by confocal microscopy characterization of their fractal cluster microstructure. Colloidal gels are of fundamental interest because of their widespread use to stabilize complex fluids in industry. Technological interest in producing gels of desired moduli using the least number of particles drives formulators to produce gels at dilute concentrations. However, dilute gels self-assembled from isotropic spheres offer limited scope for rheological tunability due to the universal characteristics of their fractal microstructure. Our results show that changing the building block shape from sphere to discoid yields very large shifts in gel elasticity relative to the universal behavior reported for spheres. This shift - tunable through aspect ratio - yields up to a 100-fold increase in elastic modulus at a fixed volume fraction. From modeling the results using the theory for fractal cluster gel rheology, which is applicable at the dilute conditions of this study, we reveal that the efficient generation of elasticity by the colloidal discoids is the consequence of the combined effects of shape anisotropy on the fractal microstructure of the gel network, the anisotropy of the attractive interparticle pair potentials, and the volumetric compactness of the fractal cluster. These results extend prior characterizations of the rheology of non-spherical particulate gels by providing quantitative estimates of how the specific mechanisms of fractality, pair potential, and clustering mediate the profound effects of particle shape anisotropy on the elastic rheology of colloidal gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Kai Kao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, Building 10 - A151, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
| | - Michael J Solomon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, Building 10 - A151, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
| | - Mahesh Ganesan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, Building 10 - A151, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
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9
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Liu T, Liu T, Gao F, Glotzer SC, Solomon MJ. Structural Color Spectral Response of Dense Structures of Discoidal Particles Generated by Evaporative Assembly. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:1315-1324. [PMID: 35112869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c10015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Structural color─optical response due to light diffraction or scattering from submicrometer-scale structures─is a promising means for sustainable coloration. To expand the functionality of structural color, we introduce discoidal shape anisotropy into colloidal particles and characterize how structural color reflection can be engineered. Uniaxial compression of spheres is used to prepare discoids with varying shape anisotropy and particle size. Discoids are assembled into thin films by evaporation. We find that structural color of assembled films displays components due to diffuse backscattering and multilayer reflection. As discoids become more anisotropic, the assembled structure is more disordered. The multilayer reflection is suppressed─peak height becomes smaller and peak width broader; thus, the color is predominantly from diffuse backscattering. Finally, the discoid structural color can be tuned by varying particle size and has low dependence on viewing angle. We corroborate our results by comparing experimental microstructures and measured reflection spectra with Monte Carlo simulations and calculated spectra by finite-difference time-domain simulation. Our findings demonstrate that the two tunable geometries of discoids─size and aspect ratio─generate different effects on spectral response and therefore can function as independent design parameters that expand possibilities for producing noniridescent structural color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Liu
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Tianyu Liu
- Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Fengyi Gao
- Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Sharon C Glotzer
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Michael J Solomon
- Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.,Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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10
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Smith KM, Hsiao LC. Migration and Morphology of Colloidal Gel Clusters in Cylindrical Channel Flow. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:10308-10318. [PMID: 34403581 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c01287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We report the cluster-level structural parameters of colloidal thermogelling nanoemulsions in channel flow as a function of attractive interactions and local shear stress. The spatiotemporal evolution of the gel microstructure is obtained by directly visualizing the dispersed phase near the edge of a cylindrical channel. We observe the flow of the nanoemulsion gels in a range of radial positions (r) and shear stresses between 70 and 220 Pa, finding that the r-dependent cluster sizes are due to a balance between shear forces that yield bonds and attractive interactions that rebuild the inter-colloid bonds. In addition, the largest clusters appear to be affected by confinement and accumulate toward the central axis of the channel, resulting in a volume fraction gradient. Cluster size and volume fraction variabilities are most prominent when the attractive interactions are the strongest. Specifically, a distinct transition from sparse, fluidized clusters near the walls to concentrated, large clusters toward the center is observed. These two structural states coincide with a velocity-based transition from higher shear rates near the walls to lower shear rates toward the center of the channel. We find a compounding effect where larger gel clusters, formed under strong attractions and low shear stresses, are susceptible to shear-induced migration that intensifies r-dependent heterogeneity and deviations in the flow behavior from predictive models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine M Smith
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Lilian C Hsiao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
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11
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Royall CP, Faers MA, Fussell SL, Hallett JE. Real space analysis of colloidal gels: triumphs, challenges and future directions. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 33:453002. [PMID: 34034239 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac04cb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal gels constitute an important class of materials found in many contexts and with a wide range of applications. Yet as matter far from equilibrium, gels exhibit a variety of time-dependent behaviours, which can be perplexing, such as an increase in strength prior to catastrophic failure. Remarkably, such complex phenomena are faithfully captured by an extremely simple model-'sticky spheres'. Here we review progress in our understanding of colloidal gels made through the use of real space analysis and particle resolved studies. We consider the challenges of obtaining a suitable experimental system where the refractive index and density of the colloidal particles is matched to that of the solvent. We review work to obtain a particle-level mechanism for rigidity in gels and the evolution of our understanding of time-dependent behaviour, from early-time aggregation to ageing, before considering the response of colloidal gels to deformation and then move on to more complex systems of anisotropic particles and mixtures. Finally we note some more exotic materials with similar properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Patrick Royall
- Gulliver UMR CNRS 7083, ESPCI Paris, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
- HH Wills Physics Laboratory, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1FD, United Kingdom
| | - Malcolm A Faers
- Bayer AG, Crop Science Division, Formulation Technology, Alfred Nobel Str. 50, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Sian L Fussell
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
- Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom
| | - James E Hallett
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
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12
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Calero C, Díaz-Morata M, Pagonabarraga I. Aggregation of discoidal particles due to depletion interaction. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:074904. [PMID: 34418916 DOI: 10.1063/5.0052481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Depletion interactions between colloids of discoidal shape can induce their self-assembly into columnar aggregates. This is an effect of entropic origin with important implications in a range of colloidal systems, particularly in the clustering of erythrocytes that determine the rheological properties of blood. Here, we investigate the equilibrium state reached by discoidal colloids in a solution of smaller depletant particles. We develop a thermodynamic model of depletion-induced aggregation based on self-assembly theory and solve it analytically. We test the validity of the model by using Langevin simulations of a system of discs and depletant particles in which the depletion interaction emerges naturally. In addition, we consider the effect of an attractive interaction between depletant and discoidal particles, which we show induces a re-entrant dependence of aggregation with temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Calero
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Díaz-Morata
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Pagonabarraga
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Mukhopadhyay A. Curved colloidal crystals of discoids at near-critical liquid-liquid interface. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:6942-6951. [PMID: 34251017 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00765c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The assembly of disc-shaped particles at curved liquid-liquid interfaces was studied by using confocal microscopy. The interface is formed by a phase-separating critical liquid mixture of 2,6-lutidine and heavy water, where the colloids spontaneously assembled forming a dome. The novelty of this system is three-fold. First, the domes can be constructed and annihilated remotely and reversibly, which allows dynamic control of the colloidal assembly. Second, the effect of curvature can be investigated by analyzing domes of different radii ranging from 5 μm to 125 μm. Third, the slow dynamics due to hydrodynamic interaction among the particles can be utilized to investigate the time-evolution of defect morphology. Unlike the widely studied repulsive colloids, the interparticle potential near the critical point has an attractive component. I contrasted the packing and defects morphology of a solid-like and liquid-like dome differing in particle number density. In the solid-like dome, a chain of 5- and 7-fold coordinated particles was observed. The analysis of trajectories showed that particles were bound in a potential well of a depth of about ten times the thermal energy, which matched well with the calculation of the pair-potential by considering the attractive critical Casimir force among the particles. In the liquid-like dome, 6-fold particles separated by clusters of 5- and 7-coordinated particles were observed, which is suggestive of liquid-solid coexistence. The uniqueness of this system will open up a new research avenue to investigate the effect of varying curvature on the crystallization, defects, and phase diagram of colloidal assemblies.
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14
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Lu J, Bu X, Zhang X, Liu B. Self-assembly of shape-tunable oblate colloidal particles into orientationally ordered crystals, glassy crystals and plastic crystals. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:6486-6494. [PMID: 34137767 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00343g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The shapes of colloidal particles are crucial to self-assembled superstructures. Understanding the relationship between the shapes of building blocks and the resulting crystal structures is an important fundamental question. Here, we demonstrate that, by using particles whose shape interpolates between a flat disc and a sphere, not only are self-assembled superstructures but also their orientations sensitively dependent on the particle shape. By changing the shape gradually from a flat disc to a spherical shape, a crystal sequence from orientationally ordered crystals to orientationally disordered crystals with frozen and more free rotations are found. The latter two phases are identified as a glassy crystal and a plastic crystal, respectively. By combining theoretical model calculations, the formed crystal structures and the occurring transitions are found to be dictated by the interplay between particle shape and particle-particle interaction as well as particle-wall interaction. In particular, for quasi-spherical shapes, when the strong attraction dominates, a glassy crystal forms, or otherwise a plastic crystal forms. These results demonstrate that the interplay between the particle shape and the interaction can be used to tune crystallization and further fabricate colloid-based new structured and dynamic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Lu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China. and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Xiangyu Bu
- School of Science, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- School of Science, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China. and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, China
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15
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Qu N, Luo Z, Zhao S, Liu B. Frame-Guided Synthesis of Polymeric Colloidal Discs. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:1790-1797. [PMID: 33467847 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c08627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Anisotropic colloidal particles are important building blocks for the studies of self-assembly, which are visualized models for basic research and can be used to construct structured materials. Discs are one of the most typical anisotropic colloids; however, the synthesis of monodisperse colloidal discs with well-defined shape remains a challenge. Here we report a novel strategy for synthesizing polymeric discs based on frame-guided droplet shrinkage. This was realized by creating frame/liquid core/shell rings and utilizing the shrinking instability of the liquid rings. The resulting disc's shape parameters are tunable. The method is general, is not limited to specific polymers, solvents, and frames, and therefore has the potential to afford a variety of polymer discs. We also demonstrate the possibility of tuning the surface chemistry of the discs through surface-initiated polymerization. The frame-guided droplet shrinkage method opens up a new way to design and fabricate colloidal particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Qu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Zhang Luo
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Shuping Zhao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100149, China
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16
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Mundoor H, Wu JS, Wensink HH, Smalyukh II. Thermally reconfigurable monoclinic nematic colloidal fluids. Nature 2021; 590:268-274. [PMID: 33568825 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03249-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Fundamental relationships are believed to exist between the symmetries of building blocks and the condensed matter phases that they form1. For example, constituent molecular and colloidal rods and disks impart their uniaxial symmetry onto nematic liquid crystals, such as those used in displays1,2. Low-symmetry organizations could form in mixtures of rods and disks3-5, but entropy tends to phase-separate them at the molecular and colloidal scales, whereas strong elasticity-mediated interactions drive the formation of chains and crystals in nematic colloids6-11. To have a structure with few or no symmetry operations apart from trivial ones has so far been demonstrated to be a property of solids alone1, but not of their fully fluid condensed matter counterparts, even though such symmetries have been considered theoretically12-15 and observed in magnetic colloids16. Here we show that dispersing highly anisotropic charged colloidal disks in a nematic host composed of molecular rods provides a platform for observing many low-symmetry phases. Depending on the temperature, concentration and surface charge of the disks, we find nematic, smectic and columnar organizations with symmetries ranging from uniaxial1,2 to orthorhombic17-21 and monoclinic12-15. With increasing temperature, we observe unusual transitions from less- to more-ordered states and re-entrant22 phases. Most importantly, we demonstrate the presence of reconfigurable monoclinic colloidal nematic order, as well as the possibility of thermal and magnetic control of low-symmetry self-assembly2,23,24. Our experimental findings are supported by theoretical modelling of the colloidal interactions between disks in the nematic host and may provide a route towards realizing many low-symmetry condensed matter phases in systems with building blocks of dissimilar shapes and sizes, as well as their technological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haridas Mundoor
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Jin-Sheng Wu
- Chemical Physics Program, Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Henricus H Wensink
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Ivan I Smalyukh
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA. .,Chemical Physics Program, Departments of Chemistry and Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA. .,Materials Science and Engineering Program, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA. .,Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, National Renewable Energy Laboratory and University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
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17
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Voggenreiter M, Roller J, Geiger J, Ebner L, Zumbusch A, Meijer JM. Preparation and Tracking of Oblate Core-Shell Polymethyl-Methacrylate Ellipsoids. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:13087-13095. [PMID: 33085481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although single-particle level studies on prolate ellipsoidal colloids are relatively abundant, similar studies on oblate ellipsoids are rare because suitable model systems are scarcely available. Here, we present the preparation of monodisperse hard core-shell oblate ellipsoids that can be imaged and tracked in 3D with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Using a thermomechanical squeezing method, we transform spherical core-shell polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) particles into oblate ellipsoids. We show how the shape polydispersity as well as the aspect ratio of the obtained oblate ellipsoids can be controlled. In addition, we discuss how the core-shell geometry limits the range of aspect ratios because of the different viscoelastic properties of the cross-linked PMMA core and linear PMMA shell. We further demonstrate imaging of the core-shell oblate dispersions on a single-particle level in real space and time and the tracking of position and orientation using our recently developed tracking algorithm for anisotropic core-shell colloids. Our results thus provide the tools for the future investigation of the behavior of oblate ellipsoids, especially in dense suspensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Voggenreiter
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jörg Roller
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - John Geiger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Lukas Ebner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Andreas Zumbusch
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Janne-Mieke Meijer
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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18
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Calero C, Pagonabarraga I. Self-Assembly of Microscopic Rods Due to Depletion Interaction. ENTROPY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 22:e22101114. [PMID: 33286883 PMCID: PMC7597238 DOI: 10.3390/e22101114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this article, using numerical simulations we investigate the self-assembly of rod-like particles in suspension due to depletion forces which naturally emerge due to the presence of smaller spherical depletant particles. We characterize the type of clusters that are formed and the evolution of aggregation departing from a random initial configuration. We show that eventually the system reaches a thermodynamic equilibrium state in which the aggregates break and reform dynamically. We investigate the equilibrium state of aggregation, which exhibits a strong dependence on depletant concentration. In addition, we provide a simple thermodynamic model inspired on the theory of self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules which allows us to understand qualitatively the equilibrium aggregate size distributions that we obtain in simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carles Calero
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Pagonabarraga
- Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
- Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- CECAM, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Batochime, Avenue Forel 2, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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19
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Szakasits ME, Saud KT, Mao X, Solomon MJ. Rheological implications of embedded active matter in colloidal gels. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:8012-8021. [PMID: 31497836 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01496a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal gels represent an important class of soft matter, in which networks formed due to strong, short-range interactions display solid-like mechanical properties, such as a finite low-frequency elastic modulus. Here we examine the effect of embedded active colloids on the linear viscoelastic moduli of fractal cluster colloidal gels. We find that the autonomous, out-of-equilibrium dynamics of active colloids incorporated into the colloidal network decreases gel elasticity, in contrast to observed stiffening effects of myosin motors in actin networks. Fractal cluster gels are formed by the well-known mechanism of aggregating polystyrene colloids through addition of divalent electrolyte. Active Janus particles with a platinum hemisphere are created from the same polystyrene colloids and homogeneously embedded in the gels at dilute concentration at the time of aggregation. Upon addition of hydrogen peroxide - a fuel that drives the diffusiophoretic motion of the embedded Janus particles - the microdynamics and mechanical rheology change in proportion to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the number of active colloids. We propose a theoretical explanation of this effect in which the decrease in modulus is mediated by active motion-induced softening of the inter-particle attraction. Furthermore, we characterize the failure of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem in the active gels by identifying a discrepancy between the frequency-dependent macroscopic viscoelastic moduli and the values predicted by microrheology from measurement of the gel microdynamics. These findings support efforts to engineer gels for autonomous function by tuning the microscopic dynamics of embedded active particles. Such reconfigurable gels, with multi-state mechanical properties, could find application in materials such as paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals, self-healing materials, and soft robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Szakasits
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
| | - Keara T Saud
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Xiaoming Mao
- Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Michael J Solomon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
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20
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Lee BHJ, Arya G. Orientational phase behavior of polymer-grafted nanocubes. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:15939-15957. [PMID: 31417994 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr04859f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Surface functionalization of nanoparticles with polymer grafts was recently shown to be a viable strategy for controlling the relative orientation of shaped nanoparticles in their higher-order assemblies. In this study, we investigated in silico the orientational phase behavior of coplanar polymer-grafted nanocubes confined in a thin film. We first used Monte Carlo simulations to compute the two-particle interaction free-energy landscape of the nanocubes and identify their globally stable configurations. The nanocubes were found to exhibit four stable phases: those with edge-edge and face-face orientations, and those exhibiting partially overlapped slanted and parallel faces previously assumed to be metastable. Moreover, the edge-edge configuration originally thought to involve kissing edges instead displayed partly overlapping edges, where the extent of the overlap depends on the attachment positions of the grafts. We next formulated analytical scaling expressions for the free energies of the identified configurations, which were used for constructing a comprehensive phase diagram of nanocube orientation in a multidimensional parameter space comprising of the size and interaction strength of the nanocubes and the Kuhn length and surface density of the grafts. The morphology of the phase diagram was shown to arise from an interplay between polymer- and surface-mediated interactions, especially differences in their scalings with respect to nanocube size and grafting density across the four phases. The phase diagram provided insights into tuning these interactions through the various parameters of the system for achieving target configurations. Overall, this work provides a framework for predicting and engineering interparticle configurations, with possible applications in plasmonic nanocomposites where control over particle orientation is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Hyun-Jong Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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21
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Luo B, Kim A, Smith JW, Ou Z, Wu Z, Kim J, Chen Q. Hierarchical self-assembly of 3D lattices from polydisperse anisometric colloids. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1815. [PMID: 31000717 PMCID: PMC6472373 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Colloids are mainly divided into two types defined by size. Micron-scale colloids are widely used as model systems to study phase transitions, while nanoparticles have physicochemical properties unique to their size. Here we study a promising yet underexplored third type: anisometric colloids, which integrate micrometer and nanometer dimensions into the same particle. We show that our prototypical system of anisometric silver plates with a high polydispersity assemble, unexpectedly, into an ordered, three-dimensional lattice. Real-time imaging and interaction modeling elucidate the crucial role of anisometry, which directs hierarchical assembly into secondary building blocks-columns-which are sufficiently monodisperse for further ordering. Ionic strength and plate tip morphology control the shape of the columns, and therefore the final lattice structures (hexagonal versus honeycomb). Our joint experiment-modeling study demonstrates potentials of encoding unconventional assembly in anisometric colloids, which can likely introduce properties and phase behaviors inaccessible to micron- or nanometer-scale colloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Luo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Ahyoung Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - John W Smith
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Zihao Ou
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Zixuan Wu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Juyeong Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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22
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Nehring A, Shendruk TN, de Haan HW. Morphology of depletant-induced erythrocyte aggregates. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:8160-8171. [PMID: 30260361 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01026a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Red blood cells suspended in quiescent plasma tend to aggregate into multicellular assemblages, including linearly stacked columnar rouleaux, which can reversibly form more complex clusters or branching networks. While these aggregates play an essential role in establishing hemorheological and pathological properties, the biophysics behind their self-assembly into dynamic mesoscopic structures remains under-explored. We employ coarse-grained molecular simulations to model low-hematocrit erythrocytes subject to short-range implicit depletion forces, and demonstrate not only that depletion interactions are sufficient to account for a sudden dispersion-aggregate transition, but also that the volume fraction of depletant macromolecules controls small aggregate morphology. We observe a sudden transition from a dispersion to a linear column rouleau, followed by a slow emergence of disorderly amorphous clusters of many short rouleaux at larger volume fractions. This work demonstrates how discocyte topology and short-range, non-specific, physical interactions are sufficient to self-assemble erythrocytes into various aggregate structures, with markedly different morphologies and biomedical consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Nehring
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Science, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4, Canada.
| | - Tyler N Shendruk
- Center for Studies in Physics and Biology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Hendrick W de Haan
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Faculty of Science, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7K4, Canada.
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23
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Solomon MJ. Tools and Functions of Reconfigurable Colloidal Assembly. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:11205-11219. [PMID: 29397742 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We review work in reconfigurable colloidal assembly, a field in which rapid, back-and-forth transitions between the equilibrium states of colloidal self-assembly are accomplished by dynamic manipulation of the size, shape, and interaction potential of colloids, as well as the magnitude and direction of the fields applied to them. It is distinguished from the study of colloidal phase transitions by the centrality of thermodynamic variables and colloidal properties that are time switchable; by the applicability of these changes to generate transitions in assembled colloids that may be spatially localized; and by its incorporation of the effects of generalized potentials due to, for example, applied electric and magnetic fields. By drawing upon current progress in the field, we propose a matrix classification of reconfigurable colloidal systems based on the tool used and function performed by reconfiguration. The classification distinguishes between the multiple means by which reconfigurable assembly can be accomplished (i.e., the tools of reconfiguration) and the different kinds of structural transitions that can be achieved by it (i.e., the functions of reconfiguration). In the first case, the tools of reconfiguration can be broadly classed as (i) those that control the colloidal contribution to the system entropy-as through volumetric and/or shape changes of the particles; (ii) those that control the internal energy of the colloids-as through manipulation of colloidal interaction potentials; and (iii) those that control the spatially resolved potential energy that is imposed on the colloids-as through the introduction of field-induced phoretic mechanisms that yield colloidal displacement and accumulation. In the second case, the functions of reconfiguration include reversible: (i) transformation between different phases-including fluid, cluster, gel, and crystal structures; (ii) manipulation of the spacing between colloids in crystals and clusters; and (iii) translation, rotation, or shape-change of finite-size objects self-assembled from colloids. With this classification in hand, we correlate the current limits on the spatiotemporal scales for reconfigurable colloidal assembly and identify a set of future research challenges.
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24
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Liu B, Wu Y, Zhao S. Anisotropic Colloids: From Non-Templated to Patchy Templated Synthesis. Chemistry 2018; 24:10562-10570. [PMID: 29469224 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201705960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembly of colloidal particles is an important and challenging way to generate novel colloidal superstructures for new materials. Recent progress on syntheses of anisotropic colloids highlights opportunities for such self-assembly, particularly in defining new non-cubic superstructures. Both non-templated and templated synthesis play an important role in preparing anisotropic colloidal particles. In this article, we briefly summarize recent progress in anisotropic colloids by non-templated and conventional templated synthesis, and introduce a conceptual strategy of "patchy templated synthesis" that differs from the conventional approach. We illustrate this strategy with recent examples emanating from colloidal rings, and discuss the future opportunities with this strategy for the synthesis of other anisotropic colloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Shuping Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
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25
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Hsiao LC, Saha-Dalal I, Larson RG, Solomon MJ. Translational and rotational dynamics in dense suspensions of smooth and rough colloids. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:9229-9236. [PMID: 29199309 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm02115a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that colloidal particles with surface roughness exhibit hindered rotational diffusion in quiescent dense suspensions. This is accomplished by the use of confocal microscopy and particle tracking to follow the translational and rotational dynamics of smooth and rough colloids suspended in a refractive index and density matched organic solvent. Measurement of the three-dimensional rotational diffusion is enabled by the addition of inert Janus tracers made of native colloids coated with a thin layer of aluminum. These experiments show that the mean square displacement (MSD) is unaffected by particle roughness, while the mean square angular displacement (MSAD) decreases for rough colloids at high volume fractions. Our results quantify the slowdown in the rotational dynamics of rough colloids, which is evidently due to steric frustration caused by the surface topography of the particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian C Hsiao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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26
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Dastan A, Frith WJ, Cleaver DJ. Thermal Hysteresis and Seeding of Twisted Fibers Formed by Achiral Discotic Particles. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:9920-9928. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.7b05316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Dastan
- Materials
and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, United Kingdom
| | - William J. Frith
- Unilever Discover, Colworth Laboratories, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, United Kingdom
| | - Douglas J. Cleaver
- Materials
and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, United Kingdom
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27
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Szakasits ME, Zhang W, Solomon MJ. Dynamics of Fractal Cluster Gels with Embedded Active Colloids. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2017; 119:058001. [PMID: 28949737 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.119.058001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We find that embedded active colloids increase the ensemble-averaged mean squared displacement of particles in otherwise passively fluctuating fractal cluster gels. The enhancement in dynamics occurs by a mechanism in which the active colloids contribute to the average dynamics both directly through their own active motion and indirectly through their excitation of neighboring passive colloids in the fractal network. Fractal cluster gels are synthesized by addition of magnesium chloride to an initially stable suspension of 1.0 μm polystyrene colloids in which a dilute concentration of platinum coated Janus colloids has been dispersed. The Janus colloids are thereby incorporated into the fractal network. We measure the ensemble-averaged mean squared displacement of all colloids in the gel before and after the addition of hydrogen peroxide, a fuel that drives diffusiophoretic motion of the Janus particles. The gel mean squared displacement increases by up to a factor of 3 for an active to passive particle ratio of 1∶20 and inputted active energy-defined based on the hydrogen peroxide's effect on colloid swim speed and run length-that is up to 9.5 times thermal energy, on a per particle basis. We model the enhancement in gel particle dynamics as the sum of a direct contribution from the displacement of the Janus particles themselves and an indirect contribution from the strain field that the active colloids induce in the surrounding passive particles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenxuan Zhang
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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28
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Morphew D, Chakrabarti D. Clusters of anisotropic colloidal particles: From colloidal molecules to supracolloidal structures. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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29
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Ganesan M, Solomon MJ. High-density equilibrium phases of colloidal ellipsoids by application of optically enhanced, direct current electric fields. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:3768-3776. [PMID: 28480936 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00359e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We use direct current (DC) electric fields in conjunction with ultraviolet light to self-assemble highly dense structures of colloidal ellipsoids with three-dimensional order and volume fraction as large as 67%. Ellipsoidal phases of colloids are of fundamental interest because novel packing structures are predicted to occur at high volume fractions; the symmetries of these crystal unit cells can also contribute to a variety of applications, including structural color materials. Previously, the very high volume fraction range of ellipsoidal phases has been inaccessible because of limitations such as vitrification and kinetic trapping. Here we report that the coupling of light to DC electric fields causes electrophoretic deposition that yields ellipsoid phases that are significantly denser than previous reports. The applied voltage across the capacitor-like device used for self-assembly was varied from 1.75-2.3 V and the power density of incident UV light was varied between 75-400 W m-2. As the coupled field strengths were increased, the assembled colloids underwent a phase transition from an isotropic fluid to a nematic liquid crystal phase consistent with previous reports. When the voltage and light intensity were between 1.9-2.1 V and 100-200 W m-2 respectively, the assembly had a high degree of orientational ordering and a degree of positional order along axes both parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the electrode surface. For the densest assembly achieved, the interlaying spacing is 0.9D, where D is the ellipsoid minor axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Ganesan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
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30
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Tian L, Li X, Wan D, Ali Z, Zhang Q. Large-scale fabrication of polymer ellipsoids with controllable patches via the viscosity-induced deformation of spherical particles. Polym Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7py00475c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A simple and controllable strategy to synthesize polymer ellipsoids via the viscosity-induced deformation of spherical particles is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Tian
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- School of Science
- Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Xi'an 710072
- China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- School of Science
- Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Xi'an 710072
- China
| | - Dewei Wan
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- School of Science
- Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Xi'an 710072
- China
| | - Zafar Ali
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- School of Science
- Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Xi'an 710072
- China
| | - Qiuyu Zhang
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- School of Science
- Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Xi'an 710072
- China
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31
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Photo-Crosslinkable Colloids: From Fluid Structure and Dynamics of Spheres to Suspensions of Ellipsoids. Gels 2016; 2:gels2040029. [PMID: 30674159 PMCID: PMC6318651 DOI: 10.3390/gels2040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently-developed photo-crosslinkable PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) colloidal spheres are a highly promising system for fundamental studies in colloidal physics and may have a wide range of future technological applications. We synthesize these colloids and characterize their size distribution. Their swelling in a density- and index- matching organic solvent system is demonstrated and we employ dynamic light scattering (DLS), as also the recently-developed confocal differential dynamic microscopy (ConDDM), to characterize the structure and the dynamics of a fluid bulk suspension of such colloids at different particle densities, detecting significant particle charging effects. We stretch these photo-crosslinkable spheres into ellipsoids. The fact that the ellipsoids are cross-linked allows them to be fluorescently stained, permitting a dense suspension of ellipsoids, a simple model of fluid matter, to be imaged by direct confocal microscopy.
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Cohen AP, Dorosz S, Schofield AB, Schilling T, Sloutskin E. Structural Transition in a Fluid of Spheroids: A Low-Density Vestige of Jamming. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2016; 116:098001. [PMID: 26991202 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.116.098001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A thermodynamically equilibrated fluid of hard spheroids is a simple model of liquid matter. In this model, the coupling between the rotational degrees of freedom of the constituent particles and their translations may be switched off by a continuous deformation of a spheroid of aspect ratio t into a sphere (t=1). We demonstrate, by experiments, theory, and computer simulations, that dramatic nonanalytic changes in structure and thermodynamics of the fluids take place, as the coupling between rotations and translations is made to vanish. This nonanalyticity, reminiscent of a second-order liquid-liquid phase transition, is not a trivial consequence of the shape of an individual particle. Rather, free volume considerations relate the observed transition to a similar nonanalyticity at t=1 in structural properties of jammed granular ellipsoids. This observation suggests a deep connection to exist between the physics of jamming and the thermodynamics of simple fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Cohen
- Physics Department and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - S Dorosz
- Research Unit for Physics and Materials Science, Université du Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - A B Schofield
- School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, United Kingdom
| | - T Schilling
- Research Unit for Physics and Materials Science, Université du Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - E Sloutskin
- Physics Department and Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 5290002, Israel
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33
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Palangetic L, Feldman K, Schaller R, Kalt R, Caseri WR, Vermant J. From near hard spheres to colloidal surfboards. Faraday Discuss 2016; 191:325-349. [DOI: 10.1039/c6fd00052e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This work revisits the synthesis of the colloidal particles most commonly used for making model near hard suspensions or as building blocks of model colloidal gels, i.e. sterically stabilised poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles. The synthesis of these particles is notoriously hard to control and generally the problems are ascribed to the difficulty in synthesising the graft stabiliser (PMMA-g-PHSA). In the present work, it is shown that for improving the reliability of the synthesis as a whole, control over the polycondensation of the 12-polyhydroxystearic acid is the key. By changing the catalyst and performing the polycondensation in the melt, the chain length of the 12-polyhydroxystearic acid is better controlled, as confirmed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Control over the graft copolymer now enables us to make small variations of near hard sphere colloids, for example spherical PMMA particles with essentially the same core size and different stabilising layer thicknesses can now be readily produced, imparting controlled particle softness. The PMMA spheres can be further employed to create, in gram scale quantities, colloidal building blocks having geometrical and/or chemical anisotropy by using a range of mechanical deformation methods. The versatility of the latter methods is demonstrated for polystyrene latex particles as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kirill Feldman
- Department of Materials
- ETH Zurich
- CH-8093 Zurich
- Switzerland
| | | | - Romana Kalt
- Department of Materials
- ETH Zurich
- CH-8093 Zurich
- Switzerland
| | | | - Jan Vermant
- Department of Materials
- ETH Zurich
- CH-8093 Zurich
- Switzerland
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34
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Glaser J, Karas AS, Glotzer SC. A parallel algorithm for implicit depletant simulations. J Chem Phys 2015; 143:184110. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4935175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Glaser
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Andrew S. Karas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
| | - Sharon C. Glotzer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, 2300 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA
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