Work

Predicting the self-assembly of a model colloidal crystal

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the self-assembly (crystallisation) of particles with hard cores and isotropic, square-well interactions, using a Monte Carlo scheme to simulate overdamped Langevin dynamics. We measure correlation and response functions during the early stages of assembly, and we analyse the results using fluctuation-dissipation theorems, aiming to predict which systems will self-assemble successfully and which will get stuck in disordered states. The early-time correlation and response measurements are made before significant crystallisation has taken place, indicating that dynamical measurements are valuable in measuring a system's propensity for kinetic trapping.

Source: Soft Matter

DOI: 10.1039/c1sm05456b

Authors: Daphne Klotsa, Robert L. Jack

Institution: University of Bath

Language: English

Topic: Material Dynamics and Properties

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Awards: How fast does time flow? Dynamical behaviour in glasses, nano-science and self-assembly, Understanding and optimising self-assembly processes, G4168790139, G8356014425