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arXiv · 2007.05203

Designing Surface Charge Patterns for Shape Control of Deformable Nanoparticles

Nicholas E. Brunk·JCS Kadupitiya·Vikram Jadhao
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Abstract

Designing reconfigurable materials based on deformable nanoparticles (NPs) hinges on an understanding of the energetically-favored shapes these NPs can adopt. Using simulations, we show that hollow, deformable patchy NPs tailored with surface charge patterns such as Janus patches, stripes, and polyhedrally-distributed patches differently adapt their shape in response to changes in patterns and ionic strength, transforming into capsules, hemispheres, variably-dimpled bowls, and polyhedra. The links between anisotropy in NP surface charge, shape, and the elastic energy density are discussed.

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Nicholas E. Brunk, JCS Kadupitiya, Vikram Jadhao. 2020-07-10. Designing Surface Charge Patterns for Shape Control of Deformable Nanoparticles. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.125.248001

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