Colloidal Particles with Triangular Patches

Abstract

Self-assembling colloidal particles into clathrate hydrates requires the particles to have tetrahedral bonds in the eclipsed conformation. It has been suggested that colloidal particles with eclipsed triangular-shaped patches can form clusters in the eclipsed conformation that leads to colloidal clathrate hydrates. However, in experiments, patches have been limited to circular shapes due to surface energy minimization. Here, we extend the particle synthesis strategy and show that colloidal particles with triangular patches can be readily fabricated by controlling the viscosity of the liquid oil droplets during a colloidal fusion process. The position, orientation, curvature, shape, and size of the patches are all exclusively determined by the intrinsic symmetry of the colloidal clusters, resulting in dipatch particles with eclipsed patches and tetrahedral patchy particles with patch vertices pointing toward each other. Patch curvature can be controlled by tuning the viscosity of the oil droplets and using different surfactants. Using strain-promoted azide−alkyne cycloaddition, single-stranded DNA can be selectively functionalized on the patches. However, after annealing these particles, dipatch particles form chains because the patches are too small to form clathrate hydrates. Under certain conditions, tetrahedral triangular patchy particles should prefer the eclipsed conformation, as it maximizes DNA hybridization. However, we observe random aggregates, which result from having triangular patches that are too big. We estimate that tetrahedral patchy particles that can crystallize need to be less than 1 μm in diameter.

Programmed Self‐Assembly of Single Colloidal Gyroids for Chiral Photonic Crystals

“…For example, spherical colloidal particles with triangular patches were considered in simulations targeting diamond‐related crystals via patterning symmetry, [ 28 ] and have since been synthesized experimentally. [ 29 ]…”

Microfluidic-supported synthesis of anisotropic polyvinyl methacrylate nanoparticles via interfacial agents

“…12,13 However, recent reports have emphasized that in many applications the particle shape—not size—may play the pivotal role, 14,15 which has intensified the quest for fabrication platforms of polymer colloids with complex anisotropic shapes. 16,17…”

“…12,13 However, recent reports have emphasized that in many applications the particle shape-not size-may play the pivotal role, 14,15 which has intensified the quest for fabrication platforms of polymer colloids with complex anisotropic shapes. 16,17 While solution-based synthesis platforms for spherical colloidal polymers are well established, 13,18 applications utilizing anisotropic colloids, 19 are restricted by limitations inherent to the overall lack of single-step synthesis platforms. In general, the shape of the polymer particles is controlled by using seeds to initiate the particle growth, that is, employing multi-step synthesis platforms.…”

Low‐Symmetry MOF‐Based Patchy Colloids and Their Precise Linking via Site‐Selective Liquid Bridging to Form Supra‐Colloidal and Supra‐Framework Architectures

“…For small molecules, free rotation is possible around a covalent sigma bond; however, molecules often adopt preferred conformations due to the steric or other effects. Such an orientational preference is missing in colloidal assemblies, an issue that has been increasingly acknowledged and has prevented the assembly of patchy particles into ordered structures [1g, 2a, 6] …”

“…However, this adds another level of difficulty to the already challenging synthesis of patchy particles. To this end, only a few attempts [6, 7] have been made to modify the shape of patches, and the well‐defined assembly has yet to be demonstrated.…”