Stability of helical Janus clusters

ORAL

Abstract

Recent experimental and computational work has elucidated the importance of kinetic pathways in the formation of helical structures by hydrophobic-charged Janus particles.\footnote{Q. Chen, J.K. Whitmer, \emph{et al.}, Science \textbf{331}, 199 (2011).} Motivated by these findings, we perform free-energy calculations to investigate the equilibrium structure and relative stability of helical aggregates as a function of cluster size and Janus balance. These results simultaneously aid in the interpretation of experimental observations and in the design of building blocks for specific structures.

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Authors

  • Connor L. Eck

    Northwestern University

  • Jonathan K. Whitmer

    Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin--Madison, University of Wisconsin--Madison

  • Qian Chen

    University of Illinois at Urbana--Champaign, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Steve Granick

    University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana--Champaign, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

  • Erik Luijten

    Northwestern University