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Wei WS, Trubiano A, Sigl C, Paquay S, Dietz H, Hagan MF, Fraden S. Hierarchical assembly is more robust than egalitarian assembly in synthetic capsids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312775121. [PMID: 38324570 PMCID: PMC10873614 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312775121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of complex and functional materials remains a grand challenge in soft material science. Efficient assembly depends on a delicate balance between thermodynamic and kinetic effects, requiring fine-tuning affinities and concentrations of subunits. By contrast, we introduce an assembly paradigm that allows large error-tolerance in the subunit affinity and helps avoid kinetic traps. Our combined experimental and computational approach uses a model system of triangular subunits programmed to assemble into T = 3 icosahedral capsids comprising 60 units. The experimental platform uses DNA origami to create monodisperse colloids whose three-dimensional geometry is controlled to nanometer precision, with two distinct bonds whose affinities are controlled to kBT precision, quantified in situ by static light scattering. The computational model uses a coarse-grained representation of subunits, short-ranged potentials, and Langevin dynamics. Experimental observations and modeling reveal that when the bond affinities are unequal, two distinct hierarchical assembly pathways occur, in which the subunits first form dimers in one case and pentamers in another. These hierarchical pathways produce complete capsids faster and are more robust against affinity variation than egalitarian pathways, in which all binding sites have equal strengths. This finding suggests that hierarchical assembly may be a general engineering principle for optimizing self-assembly of complex target structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Shao Wei
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Anthony Trubiano
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Christian Sigl
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
| | - Stefan Paquay
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Hendrik Dietz
- Laboratory for Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
- Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching85748, Germany
| | - Michael F. Hagan
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
| | - Seth Fraden
- Martin A. Fisher School of Physics, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
- Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA02453
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2
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Wang HC, Huran AW, Marques MAL, Nalabothula M, Wirtz L, Romestan Z, Romero AH. Two-Dimensional Noble Metal Chalcogenides in the Frustrated Snub-Square Lattice. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:9969-9977. [PMID: 37905788 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c02131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
We study two-dimensional noble metal chalcogenides, with compositions {Cu, Ag, Au}2{S, Se, Te}, crystallizing in a snub-square lattice. This is a semiregular two-dimensional tesselation formed by triangles and squares that exhibits geometrical frustration. We use for comparison a square lattice, from which the snub-square tiling can be derived by a simple rotation of the squares. The monolayer snub-square chalcogenides are very close to thermodynamic stability, with the most stable system (Ag2Se) a mere 7 meV/atom above the convex hull of stability. All compounds studied in the square and snub-square lattice are semiconductors, with band gaps ranging from 0.1 to more than 2.5 eV. Excitonic effects are strong, with an exciton binding energy of around 0.3 eV. We propose the Cu (001) surface as a possible substrate to synthesize Cu2Se, although many other metal and semiconducting surfaces can be found with very good lattice matching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Chen Wang
- Institut für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Ahmad W Huran
- Institut für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Miguel A L Marques
- Research Center Future Energy Materials and Systems of the University Alliance Ruhr, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Muralidhar Nalabothula
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Ludger Wirtz
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Zachary Romestan
- Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Aldo H Romero
- Department of Physics and Materials Science, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
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3
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Qi X, Zhao Y, Lachowski K, Boese J, Cai Y, Dollar O, Hellner B, Pozzo L, Pfaendtner J, Chun J, Baneyx F, Mundy CJ. Predictive Theoretical Framework for Dynamic Control of Bioinspired Hybrid Nanoparticle Self-Assembly. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1919-1928. [PMID: 35073061 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
At-will tailoring of the formation and reconfiguration of hierarchical structures is a key goal of modern nanomaterial design. Bioinspired systems comprising biomacromolecules and inorganic nanoparticles have potential for new functional material structures. Yet, consequential challenges remain because we lack a detailed understanding of the temporal and spatial interplay between participants when it is mediated by fundamental physicochemical interactions over a wide range of scales. Motivated by a system in which silica nanoparticles are reversibly and repeatedly assembled using a homobifunctional solid-binding protein and single-unit pH changes under near-neutral solution conditions, we develop a theoretical framework where interactions at the molecular and macroscopic scales are rigorously coupled based on colloidal theory and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. We integrate these interactions into a predictive coarse-grained model that captures the pH-dependent reversibility and accurately matches small-angle X-ray scattering experiments at collective scales. The framework lays a foundation to connect microscopic details with the macroscopic behavior of complex bioinspired material systems and to control their behavior through an understanding of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Qi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Yundi Zhao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Kacper Lachowski
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Julia Boese
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Yifeng Cai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Orion Dollar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Brittney Hellner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Lilo Pozzo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jim Pfaendtner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Jaehun Chun
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
- Levich Institute and Department of Chemical Engineering, CUNY City College of New York, New York, New York 10031, United States
| | - François Baneyx
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Christopher J Mundy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
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4
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Lieu UT, Yoshinaga N. Inverse design of two-dimensional structure by self-assembly of patchy particles. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:054901. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0072234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Natsuhiko Yoshinaga
- WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University - Katahira Campus, Japan
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5
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Videbæk TE, Fang H, Hayakawa D, Tyukodi B, Hagan MF, Rogers WB. Tiling a tubule: how increasing complexity improves the yield of self-limited assembly. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2022; 34:10.1088/1361-648X/ac47dd. [PMID: 34983038 PMCID: PMC8857047 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac47dd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The ability to design and synthesize ever more complicated colloidal particles opens the possibility of self-assembling a zoo of complex structures, including those with one or more self-limited length scales. An undesirable feature of systems with self-limited length scales is that thermal fluctuations can lead to the assembly of nearby, off-target states. We investigate strategies for limiting off-target assembly by using multiple types of subunits. Using simulations and energetics calculations, we explore this concept by considering the assembly of tubules built from triangular subunits that bind edge to edge. While in principle, a single type of triangle can assemble into tubules with a monodisperse width distribution, in practice, the finite bending rigidity of the binding sites leads to the formation of off-target structures. To increase the assembly specificity, we introduce tiling rules for assembling tubules from multiple species of triangles. We show that the selectivity of the target structure can be dramatically improved by using multiple species of subunits, and provide a prescription for choosing the minimum number of subunit species required for near-perfect yield. Our approach of increasing the system's complexity to reduce the accessibility of neighboring structures should be generalizable to other systems beyond the self-assembly of tubules.
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6
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Whitelam S, Tamblyn I. Neuroevolutionary Learning of Particles and Protocols for Self-Assembly. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:018003. [PMID: 34270312 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.018003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Within simulations of molecules deposited on a surface we show that neuroevolutionary learning can design particles and time-dependent protocols to promote self-assembly, without input from physical concepts such as thermal equilibrium or mechanical stability and without prior knowledge of candidate or competing structures. The learning algorithm is capable of both directed and exploratory design: it can assemble a material with a user-defined property, or search for novelty in the space of specified order parameters. In the latter mode it explores the space of what can be made, rather than the space of structures that are low in energy but not necessarily kinetically accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Whitelam
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, Califronia 94720, USA
| | - Isaac Tamblyn
- National Research Council of Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5A2, Canada Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence Toronto, Ontario M5G 1M1, Canada
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7
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Whitelam S, Tamblyn I. Learning to grow: Control of material self-assembly using evolutionary reinforcement learning. Phys Rev E 2020; 101:052604. [PMID: 32575260 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.101.052604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We show that neural networks trained by evolutionary reinforcement learning can enact efficient molecular self-assembly protocols. Presented with molecular simulation trajectories, networks learn to change temperature and chemical potential in order to promote the assembly of desired structures or choose between competing polymorphs. In the first case, networks reproduce in a qualitative sense the results of previously known protocols, but faster and with higher fidelity; in the second case they identify strategies previously unknown, from which we can extract physical insight. Networks that take as input the elapsed time of the simulation or microscopic information from the system are both effective, the latter more so. The evolutionary scheme we have used is simple to implement and can be applied to a broad range of examples of experimental self-assembly, whether or not one can monitor the experiment as it proceeds. Our results have been achieved with no human input beyond the specification of which order parameter to promote, pointing the way to the design of synthesis protocols by artificial intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Whitelam
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | - Isaac Tamblyn
- National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Tracey DF, Noya EG, Doye JPK. Programming patchy particles to form complex periodic structures. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:224506. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5128902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Tracey
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
| | - Eva G. Noya
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC, Calle Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jonathan P. K. Doye
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QZ, United Kingdom
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9
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Mingarelli L, Barnett R. Exotic Vortex Lattices in Binary Repulsive Superfluids. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 122:045301. [PMID: 30768330 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.122.045301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We investigate a mixture of two repulsively interacting superfluids with different constituent particle masses: m_{1}≠m_{2}. Solutions to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation for homogeneous infinite vortex lattices predict the existence of rich vortex lattice configurations, a number of which correspond to Platonic and Archimedean planar tilings. Some notable geometries include the snub-square, honeycomb, kagome, and herringbone lattice configurations. We present a full phase diagram for the case m_{2}/m_{1}=2 and list a number of geometries that are found for higher integer mass ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Mingarelli
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan Barnett
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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10
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Maula TA, Hatch HW, Shen VK, Rangarajan S, Mittal J. Designing Molecular Building Blocks for the Self-assembly of Complex Porous Networks. MOLECULAR SYSTEMS DESIGN & ENGINEERING 2019; 4:10.1039/c9me00006b. [PMID: 33282339 PMCID: PMC7712629 DOI: 10.1039/c9me00006b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The creation of molecular or colloidal building blocks which can self-assemble into complex, ordered porous structures has been long sought-after, and so are the guiding principles behind this creation. The pursuit of this goal has led to the creation of novel classes of materials like metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). In theory, a tremendous number of structures can be formed by these materials due to the variety of geometries available to their building blocks. However, most realized crystal structures tend to be simple or homoporous and typically assemble from building blocks with high degrees of symmetry. Building blocks with low degrees of symmetry suitable for assembly into the more complex structures tend to assemble into polymorphous or disordered structures instead. In this work, we use Monte Carlo simulations of patchy vertex-like building blocks to show how the addition of chemical specificity via orthogonally reacting functional sites can allow vertex-like building blocks with even asymmetric geometries to self-assemble into ordered crystallites of various complex structures. In addition to demonstrating the utility of such a strategy in creating ordered, heteroporous structures, we also demonstrate that it can be used as a means for tuning specific features of the crystal structure, accomplishing such aims as the control of relative pore sizes. We also discuss heuristics for properly designing molecules so that they can assemble into target structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ann Maula
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
| | - Harold W Hatch
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
| | - Vincent K Shen
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
| | - Srinivas Rangarajan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
| | - Jeetain Mittal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
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11
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Magill BA, Guo X, Peck CL, Reyes RL, See EM, Santos WL, Robinson HD. Multi-photon patterning of photoactive o-nitrobenzyl ligands bound to gold surfaces. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2019; 18:30-44. [PMID: 30346005 DOI: 10.1039/c8pp00346g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
We quantitatively investigate lithographic patterning of a thiol-anchored self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl ligands on gold through a multi-photon absorption process at 1.7 eV (730 nm wavelength). The photocleaving rate increases faster than the square of the incident light intensity, indicating a process more complex than simple two-photon absorption. We tentatively ascribe this observation to two-photon absorption that triggers the formation of a long-lived intermediate aci-nitro species whose decomposition yield is partially determined either by absorption of additional photons or by a local temperature that is elevated by the incident light. At the highest light intensities, thermal processes compete with photoactivation and lead to damage of the SAM. The threshold is high enough that this destructive process can largely be avoided, even while power densities are kept sufficiently large that complete photoactivation takes place on time scales of tens of seconds to a few minutes. This means that this type of ligand can be activated at visible and near infrared wavelengths where plasmonic resonances can easily be engineered in metal nanostructures, even though their single-photon reactivity at these wavelengths is negligible. This will allow selective functionalization of plasmon hotspots, which in addition to high resolution lithographic applications would be of benefit to applications such as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and plasmonic photocatalysis as well as directed bottom-up nanoassembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenden A Magill
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Xi Guo
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Cheryl L Peck
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Roberto L Reyes
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Erich M See
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Webster L Santos
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - Hans D Robinson
- Department of Physics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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12
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Crasto de Lima F, Ferreira GJ, Miwa RH. Topological flat band, Dirac fermions and quantum spin Hall phase in 2D Archimedean lattices. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:22344-22350. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp04760c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We've constructed a guide to the electronic properties and topological phases of Archimedean lattices. Within these lattices, a rich electronic structure emerges forming type-I and II Dirac fermions, topological flat bands and high-degeneracy points.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Crasto de Lima
- Instituto de Física
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia
- Uberlândia
- Brazil
| | | | - R. H. Miwa
- Instituto de Física
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia
- Uberlândia
- Brazil
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13
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Nguyen KT, De Michele C. Nematic liquid crystals of bifunctional patchy spheres. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2018; 41:141. [PMID: 30552517 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2018-11750-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Anisotropic interactions can bring about the formation, through self-assembly, of semi-flexible chains, which in turn can give rise to nematic phases for suitable temperatures and concentrations. A minimalist model constituted of hard cylinders decorated with attractive sites has been already extensively studied numerically. Simulation data shows that a theoretical approach recently proposed is able to properly capture the physical properties of these self-assembly-driven liquid crystals. Here, we investigated a simpler model constituted of bifunctional Kern-Frenkel hard spheres which does not possess steric anisotropy but which can undergo a istropic-nematic transition as a result of their self-assembly into semi-flexible chains. For this model we compare an accurate numerical estimate of isotropic-nematic phase boundaries with theoretical predictions. The theoretical treatment, originally proposed for cylinder-like particles, has been greatly simplified and its predictions are in good agreement with numerical results. Finally, we also assess a crucial, and not obvious, hypothesis used in the theory, i.e. the ability of the Onsager trial function to properly model particle orientation in the presence of aggregation, that has not been properly checked yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh Thuy Nguyen
- Dipartimento di Fisica, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Michele
- Dipartimento di Fisica, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 2, 00185, Roma, Italy.
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14
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Abstract
Contemporary chemical and material engineering often takes inspiration from nature, targeting for example strong yet light materials and materials composed of highly ordered domains at multiple different lengthscales for fundamental science and applications in e.g. sensing, catalysis, coating technology, and delivery. The preparation of such hierarchically structured functional materials through guided bottom-up assembly of synthetic building blocks requires a high level of control over their synthesis, interactions and assembly pathways. In this perspective we showcase recent work demonstrating how molecular control can be exploited to direct colloidal assembly into responsive materials with mechanical, optical or electrical properties that can be adjusted post-synthesis with external cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gerth
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, and Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MD, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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15
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Preisler Z, Saccà B, Whitelam S. Irregular model DNA particles self-assemble into a regular structure. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:8894-8902. [PMID: 29130094 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm01627a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA nanoparticles with three-fold coordination have been observed to self-assemble in experiment into a network equivalent to the hexagonal (6.6.6) tiling, and a network equivalent to the 4.8.8 Archimedean tiling. Both networks are built from a single type of vertex. Here we use analytic theory and equilibrium and dynamic simulation to show that a model particle, whose rotational properties lie between those of the vertices of the 6.6.6 and 4.8.8 networks, can self-assemble into a network built from three types of vertex. Important in forming this network is the ability of the particle to rotate when bound, thereby allowing the formation of more than one type of binding motif. The network in question is equivalent to a false tiling, a periodic structure built from irregular polygons, and possesses 40 particles in its unit cell. The emergence of this complex structure, whose symmetry properties are not obviously related to those of its constituent particles, highlights the potential for creating new structures from simple variants of existing nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Preisler
- Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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16
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Ravaine S, Duguet E. Synthesis and assembly of patchy particles: Recent progress and future prospects. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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17
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Noya EG, Almarza NG, Lomba E. Assembly of trivalent particles under confinement: from an exotic solid phase to a liquid phase at low temperature. SOFT MATTER 2017; 13:3221-3229. [PMID: 28398440 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00217c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Using computer simulations, we study the phase diagram of a two-dimensional system of disk particles with three patches distributed symmetrically along the particle equator. The geometry of the particles is compatible with a honey-comb lattice at moderately low temperature and pressure, whereas it is expected that the system forms a close-packed triangular lattice at high temperature and pressure. The effect of patch size within the single bond per patch regime was investigated, and it was found that the topology of the phase diagram changes drastically with patch size. Interestingly, in particles with small patches (with a half opening angle of 10°), the fluid transforms upon increasing the pressure into a rather exotic phase that can be understood as a honey-comb lattice whose voids are filled continuously with additional particles that remain, on average, unbound. Eventually, all the voids are occupied so that particles are located at the positions of a triangular lattice, but only two thirds of the particles are orientationally ordered whereas the remaining one third can rotate almost freely as in a plastic crystal. At moderately low temperature, the fluid transforms into a nearly empty honey-comb lattice, whereas at high temperature it transforms directly into the almost filled lattice. Interestingly, for particles with big patches (with a half opening angle of 20°), the honey-comb and triangular lattices are separated by a liquid phase that remains stable down to fairly low temperatures. Less surprisingly, only particles with big patches exhibit an equilibrium gas-liquid separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva G Noya
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientficas, CSIC, Calle Serrano 119, 28026 Madrid, Spain.
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