Clusters Formed by Dumbbell-like One-Patch Particles Confined in Thin Systems

Abstract

Performing isothermal-isochoric Monte Carlo simulations, I examine the types of clusters that dumbbell-like one–patch particles form in thin space between two parallel walls, assuming that each particle is synthesized through the merging of two particles, one non-attracting and the other attracting for which, for example, the inter-particle interaction is approximated by the DLVO model. The shape of these dumbbell-like particles is controlled by the ratio of the diameters q of the two spherical particles and by the dimensionless distance l between them. Using a modified Kern–Frenkel potential, I examine the dependence of the cluster shape on l and q. Large island-like clusters are created when q < 1. With increasing q, the clusters become chain-like. When q increases further, elongated clusters and regular polygonal clusters are created. In hte simulations, the cluster shape becomes three-dimensional with increasing l because the thickness of the thin system increases proportionally to l.

Structure and assembly mechanism of a centipede-shaped high-nuclear Dy14Cu12heterometallic nanocluster

“…However, high-nuclear Cu(II)-Dy(III) clusters were rarely reported. It is well known that the reported 4f and 3d-4f high-nuclear clusters present versatile aesthetic structures such as cage, 25,26 ring, 27,28 linear, [29][30][31][32] prism, [33][34][35] pancake, [36][37][38] dumbbell [39][40][41][42] and sphere motifs. [43][44][45] However, 3d-4f high-nuclear clusters with sheetlike skeletons are difficult to form probably due to the limitations from stability.…”