Intercluster Exchange-Stabilized Novel Complex Colloidal χ_c Phase

Abstract

Designing complex cluster crystals with a specific function using simple colloidal building blocks remains a challenge in materials science. Herein, we propose a conceptually new design strategy for constructing complex cluster crystals via hierarchical self-assembly of simple soft Janus colloids. A novel and previously unreported colloidal cluster-χ (χc) phase, which resembles the essential structural features of α-manganese but at a larger length scale, is obtained through molecular dynamics simulations. The formation of the χc phase undergoes a remarkable two-step self-assembly process, that is, the self-assembly of clusters with specific size dispersity from Janus colloids, followed by the highly ordered organization of these clusters. More importantly, the dynamic exchange of particles between these clusters plays a critical role in stabilizing the χc phase. Such a conceptual design framework based on intercluster exchange has the potential to effectively construct novel complex cluster crystals by hierarchical self-assembly of colloidal building blocks.

Multiple 2D crystal structures in bilayered lamellae from the direct self-assembly of 3D systems of soft Janus particles

“…2 summarizes the self-assembly diagram of SJPs in terms of the patch size b and number density r. The self-assembled structures can generally be classified into four categories: the bilayered lamellar phase, the columnar phase (C), the cubic Ia% 3d phase (CI), 46 and the amorphous phase (A). 34 When r is less than 1.5, SJPs form the amorphous phase (A) due to the very low particle density (Fig. S2a, ESI †).…”

“…S2c, ESI †). 34 As b increases, SJPs self-assemble to form the bilayered lamellar phase. When b is larger than 1501, the fraction of the surface covered by the attractive patch is more than 93%, and SJPs get closer to being attractive spheres.…”

“…The self-assembled structures can generally be classified into four categories: the bilayered lamellar phase, the columnar phase (C), the cubic Ia 3̄ d phase (CI), 46 and the amorphous phase (A). 34…”

“…The soft Janus particle model (SJPM) 26,33,34 is used to simulate the self-assembly of soft Janus particles in Fig. 1.…”

Colloidal cubic diamond photonic crystals through cooperative self-assembly

“…The TJPs and CSs in our simulations are sufficiently simple, and their experimental realization is already within reach. 44,45,[57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] Therefore, our proposed strategy based on cooperative self-assembly of surface-anisotropic Janus or patchy colloids will offer a simple and effective means of creating various types of 3D colloidal photonic crystals.…”