1
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Beneduce C, Sciortino F, Šulc P, Russo J. Engineering Azeotropy to Optimize the Self-Assembly of Colloidal Mixtures. ACS NANO 2023; 17:24841-24853. [PMID: 38048489 PMCID: PMC10753881 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The goal of inverse self-assembly is to design interparticle interactions capable of assembling the units into a desired target structure. The effective assembly of complex structures often requires the use of multiple components, each new component increasing the thermodynamic degrees of freedom and, hence, the complexity of the self-assembly pathway. In this work we explore the possibility to use azeotropy, i.e., a special thermodynamic condition where the system behaves effectively as a one-component system, as a way to control the self-assembly of an arbitrary number of components. Exploiting the mass-balance equations, we show how to select patchy particle systems that exhibit azeotropic points along the desired self-assembly pathway. As an example we map the phase diagram of a binary mixture that, by design, fully assembles into cubic (and only cubic) diamond crystal via an azeotropic point. The ability to explicitly include azeotropic points in artificial designs reveals effective pathways for the self-assembly of complex structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Beneduce
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Sapienza Università di
Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Sciortino
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Sapienza Università di
Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Petr Šulc
- School
of Molecular Sciences and Center for Molecular Design and Biomimetics,
The Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 South McAllister Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
- School
of Natural Sciences, Department of Bioscience, TU Munich, Am Coulombwall
4a, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - John Russo
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Sapienza Università di
Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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2
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Sorichetti V, Ninarello A, Ruiz-Franco J, Hugouvieux V, Zaccarelli E, Micheletti C, Kob W, Rovigatti L. Structure and elasticity of model disordered, polydisperse, and defect-free polymer networks. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:074905. [PMID: 36813705 DOI: 10.1063/5.0134271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The elasticity of disordered and polydisperse polymer networks is a fundamental problem of soft matter physics that is still open. Here, we self-assemble polymer networks via simulations of a mixture of bivalent and tri- or tetravalent patchy particles, which result in an exponential strand length distribution analogous to that of experimental randomly cross-linked systems. After assembly, the network connectivity and topology are frozen and the resulting system is characterized. We find that the fractal structure of the network depends on the number density at which the assembly has been carried out, but that systems with the same mean valence and same assembly density have the same structural properties. Moreover, we compute the long-time limit of the mean-squared displacement, also known as the (squared) localization length, of the cross-links and of the middle monomers of the strands, showing that the dynamics of long strands is well described by the tube model. Finally, we find a relation connecting these two localization lengths at high density and connect the cross-link localization length to the shear modulus of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Sorichetti
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Cristian Micheletti
- SISSA-Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Walter Kob
- Laboratoire Charles Coulomb (L2C), Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, F-34095 Montpellier, France
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3
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Jonas H, Schall P, Bolhuis PG. Extended Wertheim theory predicts the anomalous chain length distributions of divalent patchy particles under extreme confinement. J Chem Phys 2022; 157:094903. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0098882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Colloidal patchy particles with divalent attractive interaction can self-assemble into linear polymer chains. Their equilibrium properties in 2D and 3D are well described by Wertheim's thermodynamic perturbation theory which predicts a well-defined exponentially decaying equilibrium chain length distribution. In experi- mental realizations, due to gravity, particles sediment to the bottom of the suspension forming a monolayer of particles with a gravitational height smaller than the particle diameter. In accordance with experiments, an anomalously high monomer concentration is observed in simulations which is not well understood. To account for this observation, we interpret the polymerization as taking place in a highly confined quasi-2D plane and extend the Wertheim thermodynamic perturbation theory by defining addition reactions constants as functions of the chain length. We derive the theory, test it on simple square well potentials, and apply it to the experimental case of synthetic colloidal patchy particles immersed in a binary liquid mixture that are described by an accurate effective critical Casimir patchy particle potential. The important interaction parameters entering the theory are explicitly computed using the integral method in combination with Monte Carlo sampling. Without any adjustable parameter, the predictions of the chain length distribution are in excellent agreement with explicit simulations of self-assembling particles. We discuss generality of the approach, and its application range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Jonas
- University of Amsterdam Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Netherlands
| | - Peter Schall
- Institute of Physics, Universiteit van Amsterdam Faculteit der Natuurwetenschappen Wiskunde en Informatica, Netherlands
| | - Peter G. Bolhuis
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Netherlands
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4
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Braz Teixeira R, de Las Heras D, Tavares JM, Telo da Gama MM. Phase behavior of a binary mixture of patchy colloids: Effect of particle size and gravity. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:044903. [PMID: 34340383 DOI: 10.1063/5.0056652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
We study theoretically the effect of size difference and that of gravity in the phase behavior of a binary mixture of patchy particles. The species, 2A and 3B, have two A and three B patches, respectively, and only bonds between patches A and B (AB bonds) are allowed. This model describes colloidal systems where the aggregation of particles (3B) is mediated and controlled by a second species, the linkers (2A) to which they bind strongly. Thermodynamic calculations are performed using Wertheim's perturbation theory with a hard sphere reference term that accounts for the difference in the size of the two species. Percolation lines are determined employing a generalized Flory-Stockmayer theory, and the effects of gravity are included through a local density approximation. The bulk phase diagrams are calculated, and all the stacking sequences generated in the presence of gravity are determined and classified in a stacking diagram. The relative size of the particles can be used to control the phase behavior of the mixture. An increase in the size of particles 3B, relative to the size of the linkers 2A, is found to promote mixing while keeping the percolating structures and, in certain cases, leads to changes in the stacking sequence under gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Braz Teixeira
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Daniel de Las Heras
- Theoretische Physik II, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - José Maria Tavares
- Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Margarida M Telo da Gama
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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5
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Jonas HJ, Stuij SG, Schall P, Bolhuis PG. A temperature-dependent critical Casimir patchy particle model benchmarked onto experiment. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:034902. [PMID: 34293902 DOI: 10.1063/5.0055012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic colloidal patchy particles immersed in a binary liquid mixture can self-assemble via critical Casimir interactions into various superstructures, such as chains and networks. Up to now, there are no quantitatively accurate potential models that can simulate and predict this experimentally observed behavior precisely. Here, we develop a protocol to establish such a model based on a combination of theoretical Casimir potentials and angular switching functions. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we optimize several material-specific parameters in the model to match the experimental chain length distribution and persistence length. Our approach gives a systematic way to obtain accurate potentials for critical Casimir induced patchy particle interactions and can be used in large-scale simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Jonas
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S G Stuij
- Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P Schall
- Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P G Bolhuis
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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6
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Gaughran SK, Rickman JM, Haaga J, Gunton JD. Monte Carlo simulations of patch models with applications to soft matter. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8628-8638. [PMID: 32844865 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01110j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Patch models have been employed to describe anisotropic interactions in disparate soft matter systems. In this work, we present a unified study of a patch model to explore particle self-assembly in both monodisperse and polydisperse systems, with applications to both proteins and colloids. In the first case, we obtained a temperature-density phase diagram for a model of the protein polyglutamine from Monte Carlo simulations. These simulations evinced clusters in the gas phase and, via a comparison with the corresponding coarse-grained PLUM model for this system, we verified that dense clustering in the gas phase falls into the supersaturation region of the saturation curve. In the second case, we have investigated the effect of size polydispersity on the phase behavior of binary colloidal mixtures. It was found that the width of gas-liquid phase coexistence increases with increasing polydispersity and that, in addition to the aforementioned particle clustering, small particles decorate patches on large particles, thereby creating large-particle bridges. Our aim is to compare and contrast self-assembly in these two prototypical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- S K Gaughran
- Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
| | - J M Rickman
- Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA. and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - J Haaga
- Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
| | - J D Gunton
- Department of Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA.
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7
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Van HP, Fortini A, Schmidt M. Crystal structures in binary hard-sphere colloid-droplet mixtures with patchy cross interactions. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:012608. [PMID: 32069591 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.012608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A binary mixture of droplets and patchy colloids, where patches are arranged in tetrahedral symmetry, is studied with Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations. The colloidal patches attract droplets, while both the colloid-colloid and the droplet-droplet interactions are hard sphere like. We find stable crystal structures with atomic analogs ZnS, CaF_{2}, and fcc or hcp (face centered cubic or hexagonal close packed) of the droplets coexisting with a dispersed fluid of the colloids. The simulated crystal structures agree well with those predicted by close-packing calculations for an intermediate range of droplet-colloid size ratios. A discrepancy between the simulations and theoretical predictions occurs at low and high size ratios. The results of the simulations for mixtures with anisotropic colloid-droplet interactions reveal a richer phase diagram, with ZnS-gas and ZnS-fluid coexistence, as compared to the isotropic case. For the example of a square planar patch arrangement, we find a particular crystal structure, consisting of two interpenetrating fcc or hcp lattices with right bond angles. Such a structure has no known atomic analog. Our study of generic models of anisotropic colloid-droplet mixtures could provide a promising way towards the fabrication of novel and complex colloidal structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Pham Van
- Theoretische Physik II, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
- Department of Physics, Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuanthuy, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Andrea Fortini
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Theoretische Physik II, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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8
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Abstract
In this chapter we describe numerical procedures to evaluate the phase behavior of coarse-grained models for globular proteins. Specifically we focus on models based on hard spheres complemented with "patchy-like" anisotropic interactions that mimic the attractive regions on the surface of the proteins. We introduce the basic elements of grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations for these types of models in which rotational and translational moves need to be accounted for. We describe the techniques for the estimation of the fluid-fluid critical point, coexistence curve, and fluid-crystal boundaries. We also discuss an efficient method for the evaluation of the fluid-fluid phase diagram: the successive umbrella sampling technique. Finally we briefly describe how to exploit the same tools for the calculation of the phase behavior of protein binary mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Sciortino
- Dipartimento di Fisica, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 2, Roma, Italy
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9
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Jadrich RB, Lindquist BA, Truskett TM. Unsupervised machine learning for detection of phase transitions in off-lattice systems. I. Foundations. J Chem Phys 2018; 149:194109. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5049849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R. B. Jadrich
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - B. A. Lindquist
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - T. M. Truskett
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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10
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Rovigatti L, Russo J, Romano F. How to simulate patchy particles ⋆. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2018; 41:59. [PMID: 29748868 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2018-11667-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Patchy particles is the name given to a large class of systems of mesoscopic particles characterized by a repulsive core and a discrete number of short-range and highly directional interaction sites. Numerical simulations have contributed significantly to our understanding of the behaviour of patchy particles, but, although simple in principle, advanced simulation techniques are often required to sample the low temperatures and long time-scales associated with their self-assembly behaviour. In this work we review the most popular simulation techniques that have been used to study patchy particles, with a special focus on Monte Carlo methods. We cover many of the tools required to simulate patchy systems, from interaction potentials to biased moves, cluster moves, and free-energy methods. The review is complemented by an educationally oriented Monte Carlo computer code that implements all the techniques described in the text to simulate a well-known tetrahedral patchy particle model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Rovigatti
- CNR-ISC, Uos Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy.
| | - John Russo
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, BS8 1TW, Bristol, UK
| | - Flavio Romano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia Mestre, Italy
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11
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Locatelli E, Rovigatti L. An Accurate Estimate of the Free Energy and Phase Diagram of All-DNA Bulk Fluids. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E447. [PMID: 30966482 PMCID: PMC6415226 DOI: 10.3390/polym10040447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a numerical study in which large-scale bulk simulations of self-assembled DNA constructs have been carried out with a realistic coarse-grained model. The investigation aims at obtaining a precise, albeit numerically demanding, estimate of the free energy for such systems. We then, in turn, use these accurate results to validate a recently proposed theoretical approach that builds on a liquid-state theory, the Wertheim theory, to compute the phase diagram of all-DNA fluids. This hybrid theoretical/numerical approach, based on the lowest-order virial expansion and on a nearest-neighbor DNA model, can provide, in an undemanding way, a parameter-free thermodynamic description of DNA associating fluids that is in semi-quantitative agreement with experiments. We show that the predictions of the scheme are as accurate as those obtained with more sophisticated methods. We also demonstrate the flexibility of the approach by incorporating non-trivial additional contributions that go beyond the nearest-neighbor model to compute the DNA hybridization free energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Locatelli
- Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Lorenzo Rovigatti
- CNR-ISC, Uos Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy.
- Department of Physics, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy.
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12
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Dias CS, Araújo NAM, Telo da Gama MM. Dynamics of network fluids. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2017; 247:258-263. [PMID: 28802478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Network fluids are structured fluids consisting of chains and branches. They are characterized by unusual physical properties, such as, exotic bulk phase diagrams, interfacial roughening and wetting transitions, and equilibrium and nonequilibrium gels. Here, we provide an overview of a selection of their equilibrium and dynamical properties. Recent research efforts towards bridging equilibrium and non-equilibrium studies are discussed, as well as several open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Dias
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal.
| | - N A M Araújo
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
| | - M M Telo da Gama
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Física Teórica e Computacional, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa 1749-016, Portugal
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13
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14
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Locatelli E, Handle PH, Likos CN, Sciortino F, Rovigatti L. Condensation and Demixing in Solutions of DNA Nanostars and Their Mixtures. ACS NANO 2017; 11:2094-2102. [PMID: 28157331 PMCID: PMC5333195 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b08287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
We present a numerical/theoretical approach to efficiently evaluate the phase diagram of self-assembling DNA nanostars. Combining input information based on a realistic coarse-grained DNA potential with the Wertheim association theory, we derive a parameter-free thermodynamic description of these systems. We apply this method to investigate the phase behavior of single components and mixtures of DNA nanostars with different numbers of sticky arms, elucidating the role of the system functionality and of salt concentration. Specifically, we evaluate the propensity to demix, the gas-liquid phase boundaries and the location of the critical points. The predicted critical parameters compare very well with existing experimental results for the available compositions. The approach developed here is very general, easily extensible to other all-DNA systems, and provides guidance for future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Locatelli
- Faculty
of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- E-mail:
| | - Philip H. Handle
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Sapienza-Università di
Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Christos N. Likos
- Faculty
of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Francesco Sciortino
- Dipartimento
di Fisica, Sapienza-Università di
Roma, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Istituto
Sistemi Complessi (CNR-ISC), Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Rovigatti
- Faculty
of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
- Rudolf
Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics, 1 Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3NP, U.K.
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15
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Słyk E, Rżysko W, Bryk P. Two-dimensional binary mixtures of patchy particles and spherical colloids. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:9538-9548. [PMID: 27834426 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm01838f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Using Monte Carlo simulation we study two dimensional mixtures of patchy and spherically symmetric particles. Such mixtures can be synthesized experimentally by covering colloids with appropriate types of DNA strands [L. Feng, et al., Adv. Mater., 2013, 25, 2779]. We focus on finding out the ordered structures that can be formed in such systems. The type of ordered phase strongly depends on the valency, size and binding energy of the patchy particles. If the patch size is small enough, i.e. it allows only one spherically symmetric particle to be bound, the ordered structure follows either a hexagonal or a tetragonal pattern depending on the valency of the patchy particles. Moreover, we find stable quasicrystals of dodecagonal symmetry. Additional structures can be obtained if the patches are larger and the binding energy is higher. Depending on the valency of the patchy particles we find either lanes or branched structures forming polygons of the spherically symmetric particles with few patchy particles inside. For pentavalent patchy particles we find stable quasicrystals of decagonal symmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Słyk
- Department for the Modeling of Physico-Chemical Processes, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Wojciech Rżysko
- Department for the Modeling of Physico-Chemical Processes, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Paweł Bryk
- Department for the Modeling of Physico-Chemical Processes, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-031 Lublin, Poland.
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16
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Lindquist BA, Jadrich RB, Milliron DJ, Truskett TM. On the formation of equilibrium gels via a macroscopic bond limitation. J Chem Phys 2016; 145:074906. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4960773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B. A. Lindquist
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - R. B. Jadrich
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - D. J. Milliron
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
| | - T. M. Truskett
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
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17
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de las Heras D, Treffenstädt LL, Schmidt M. Reentrant network formation in patchy colloidal mixtures under gravity. Phys Rev E 2016; 93:030601. [PMID: 27078278 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.93.030601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We study a two-dimensional binary mixture of patchy colloids in sedimentation-diffusion equilibrium using Monte Carlo simulation and Wertheim's theory. By tuning the buoyant masses of the colloids we can control the gravity-induced sequence of fluid stacks of differing density and percolation properties. We find complex stacking sequences with up to four layers and reentrant network formation, consistently in simulations and theoretically using only the bulk phase diagram as input. Our theory applies to general patchy colloidal mixtures and is relevant to understanding experiments under gravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel de las Heras
- Theoretische Physik II, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Lucas L Treffenstädt
- Theoretische Physik II, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Matthias Schmidt
- Theoretische Physik II, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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18
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Rasheed N, Khorasani AA, Cebral J, Mut F, Löhner R, Salvador-Morales C. Mechanisms Involved in the Formation of Biocompatible Lipid Polymeric Hollow Patchy Particles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:6639-6648. [PMID: 26057588 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b01551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Patchy polymeric particles have anisotropic surface domains that can be remarkably useful in diverse medical and industrial fields because of their ability to simultaneously present two different surface chemistries on the same construct. In this article, we report the mechanisms involved in the formation of novel lipid-polymeric hollow patchy particles during their synthesis. By cross-sectioning the patchy particles, we found that a phase segregation phenomenon occurs between the core, shell, and patch. Importantly, we found that the shear stress that the polymer blend undergoes during the particle synthesis is the most important parameter for the formation of these patchy particles. In addition, we found that the interplay of solvent-solvent, polymer-solvent, and polymer-polymer-solvent interactions generates particles with different surface morphologies. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the formation of patchy particles allows us to have a better control on their physicochemical properties. Therefore, these fundamental studies are critical to achieve batch control and scalability, which are essential aspects that must be addressed in any type of particle synthesis to be safely used in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nashaat Rasheed
- †Bioengineering Department, ‡Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, §Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and ∥Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, College of Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Ali A Khorasani
- †Bioengineering Department, ‡Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, §Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and ∥Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, College of Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Juan Cebral
- †Bioengineering Department, ‡Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, §Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and ∥Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, College of Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Fernando Mut
- †Bioengineering Department, ‡Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, §Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and ∥Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, College of Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Rainald Löhner
- †Bioengineering Department, ‡Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, §Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and ∥Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, College of Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
| | - Carolina Salvador-Morales
- †Bioengineering Department, ‡Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, §Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and ∥Center for Computational Fluid Dynamics, College of Sciences, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, United States
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Pizio O, Rżysko W, Sokołowski S, Sokołowska Z. Mixtures of ions and amphiphilic molecules in slit-like pores: A density functional approach. J Chem Phys 2015; 142:164703. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4918640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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20
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Quinn MK, Gnan N, James S, Ninarello A, Sciortino F, Zaccarelli E, McManus JJ. How fluorescent labelling alters the solution behaviour of proteins. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2015; 17:31177-87. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cp04463d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The impact of adding a fluorescent dye to a protein is examined using protein phase diagrams and numerical simulations. The addition of the dye is the equivalent of adding a large attractive patch to the surface of the protein, which results in significant changes to the protein solution behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. K. Quinn
- Department of Chemistry
- Maynooth University
- Maynooth
- Ireland
| | - N. Gnan
- CNR-ISC UOS Sapienza
- 00186 Roma
- Italy
| | - S. James
- Department of Chemistry
- Maynooth University
- Maynooth
- Ireland
| | - A. Ninarello
- Dipartimento di Fisica
- “Sapienza” Universita’ di Roma
- Roma
- Italy
| | - F. Sciortino
- CNR-ISC UOS Sapienza
- 00186 Roma
- Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica
- “Sapienza” Universita’ di Roma
| | - E. Zaccarelli
- CNR-ISC UOS Sapienza
- 00186 Roma
- Italy
- Dipartimento di Fisica
- “Sapienza” Universita’ di Roma
| | - J. J. McManus
- Department of Chemistry
- Maynooth University
- Maynooth
- Ireland
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Pizio O, Sokołowski S, Sokołowska Z. The structure and properties of a simple model mixture of amphiphilic molecules and ions at a solid surface. J Chem Phys 2014; 140:174706. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4873438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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22
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Roldán-Vargas S, Smallenburg F, Kob W, Sciortino F. Phase diagram of a reentrant gel of patchy particles. J Chem Phys 2013; 139:244910. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4849115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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23
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Dias CS, Araújo NAM, Telo da Gama MM. Mixtures of functionalized colloids on substrates. J Chem Phys 2013; 139:154903. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4824904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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