Aggregate Structures in Two-Dimensional Dispersion of Janus Particles(Researches)

Abstract

A Janus colloidal particle with an attractive hemisphere has three valences on the hemisphere in two dimensions. With experiments and simulations, we study the dependence of the stable cluster phase of the colloids on this attraction. With weak attraction, small micellar clusters, mainly tetramers, form. These clusters aggregate into linear chains with the increase of the attraction; i.e., a small cluster behaves as a unit structure with two valences. This hierarchical structure suggests the importance of, not only the particle valence, but the valence structure of clusters in the phase behavior of low-valence particles.