Controlling Chirality of Entropic Crystals
Engel M, Damasceno PF, Karas AS, Schultz BA, Glotzer SC (2015)
Publication Language: English
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2015
Journal
Publisher: American Physical Society
Book Volume: 115
Journal Issue: 15
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.158303
Abstract
Colloidal crystal structures with complexity and diversity rivaling atomic and molecular crystals have been predicted and obtained for hard particles by entropy maximization. However, thus far homochiral colloidal crystals, which are candidates for photonic metamaterials, are absent. Using Monte Carlo simulations we show that chiral polyhedra exhibiting weak directional entropic forces self-assemble either an achiral crystal or a chiral crystal with limited control over the crystal handedness. Building blocks with stronger faceting exhibit higher selectivity and assemble a chiral crystal with handedness uniquely determined by the particle chirality. Tuning the strength of directional entropic forces by means of particle rounding or the use of depletants allows for reconfiguration between achiral and homochiral crystals. We rationalize our findings by quantifying the chirality strength of each particle, both from particle geometry and potential of mean force and torque diagrams.
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APA:
Engel, M., Damasceno, P.F., Karas, A.S., Schultz, B.A., & Glotzer, S.C. (2015). Controlling Chirality of Entropic Crystals. Physical Review Letters, 115(15). https://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.158303
MLA:
Engel, Michael, et al. "Controlling Chirality of Entropic Crystals." Physical Review Letters 115.15 (2015).
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