Work

Self-assembly of 2D membranes from mixtures of hard rods and depleting polymers

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: We combine simulations and experiments to elucidate the molecular forces leading to the assembly of two dimensional membrane-like structures composed of a one rod-length thick monolayer of aligned rods from an immiscible suspension of hard rods and depleting polymers. Computer simulations predict that monolayer membranes are thermodynamically stable above a critical rod aspect ratio and below a critical depletion interaction length scale. Outside of these conditions alternative structures such as stacked smectic columns or nematic droplets are thermodynamically stable. These predictions are confirmed by subsequent experiments using a model system of virus rod-like molecules and non-adsorbing polymer. Our work demonstrates that collective molecular protrusion fluctuations alone are sufficient to stabilize membranes composed of homogenous rods with simple excluded volume interactions.

Source: Soft Matter

DOI: 10.1039/c1sm06201h

Authors: Yasheng Yang, Edward Barry, Zvonimir Dogic, Michael F. Hagan

Institution: Brandeis University

Language: English

Topic: Liquid Crystal Research Advancements

Subfield: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Brandeis University, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Award: Multiscale modeling of mechanisms for viral capsid assembly and polymorphism