Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Janus Particles Confined between Two Solid Surfaces

Abstract

We use Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the behavior of Janus spheres confined between two parallel surfaces. Janus particles are composed of attractive and repulsive parts. The slits with identical and competing walls are considered. In the studied systems, we have found (i) the two-dimensional crystallization of clusters, (ii) the surface-induced formation of “levitating” slabs, and (iii) “inverted” adsorption in Janus-like pores. The mechanism of the formation of particular structures is discussed in detail. Bond orientation analysis is used to identify crystalline phases. We have analyzed the impact of selected parameters on the morphology of the considered systems.

Clusters formed by dumbbell-like one-patch particles confined in thin systems

“…Because the systems were very thin, the cluster types were restricted in the simulations. If the system width were wider 41 , 47 clusters and structures which were not observed may be created.…”

“…For example, triblock patchy particles having two patches on the polar positions 3 – 5 , 8 , 23 , 24 have drawn much attention as building blocks for photonic crystals with a complete photonic band gap 25 , 26 . Whereas patchy particles used in experiments were not necessarily spherical 6 , 11 , 16 , the structures and cluster shapes examined in a theoretical study 27 and simulations 28 – 41 were mainly for spherical patchy particles.…”

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

“…Because the systems were very thin, the cluster types were restricted in the simulations. If the system width were wider 43,49 clusters and structures which were not observed may be created.…”

“…For example, triblock patchy particles having two patches on the polar positions 3-5, 8, 23, 24 have drawn much attention as building blocks for photonic crystals with a complete photonic band gap 25,26 . Whereas patchy particles used in experiments were not necessarily spherical 6,11,16 , the structures and cluster shapes examined in a theoretical study 29 and simulations [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] were mainly for spherical patchy particles.…”

Asymmetric Assembly of Lennard-Jones Janus Dimers

“…Simulations have predicted phases including small clusters [17], micellar or wire-like structures [17][18][19][20][21], and sheets [11,18]. In 2D, close-packed particles [22,23] can produce tiled patterns [24][25][26], while less dense arrangements include clusters [26], chains [27] and open lattices [28]. Phases depend on parameters such as solvent properties, temperature, and patch geometry [21,29].…”