Janus particles with tunable patch symmetry and their assembly into chiral colloidal clusters

Tianran Zhang, Dengping Lyu, Wei Xu, Xuan Feng, Ran Ni () and Yufeng Wang ()
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Tianran Zhang: The University of Hong Kong
Dengping Lyu: The University of Hong Kong
Wei Xu: The University of Hong Kong
Xuan Feng: Nanyang Technological University
Ran Ni: Nanyang Technological University
Yufeng Wang: The University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Janus particles, which have an attractive patch on the otherwise repulsive surface, have been commonly employed for anisotropic colloidal assembly. While current methods of particle synthesis allow for control over the patch size, they are generally limited to producing dome-shaped patches with a high symmetry (C∞). Here, we report on the synthesis of Janus particles with patches of various tunable shapes, having reduced symmetries ranging from C2v to C3v and C4v. The Janus particles are synthesized by partial encapsulation of an octahedral metal-organic framework particle (UiO-66) in a polymer matrix. The extent of encapsulation is precisely regulated by a stepwise, asymmetric dewetting process that exposes selected facets of the UiO-66 particle. With depletion interaction, the Janus particles spontaneously assemble into colloidal clusters reflecting the particles’ shapes and patch symmetries. We observe the formation of chiral structures, whereby chirality emerges from achiral building blocks. With the ability to encode symmetry and directional bonding information, our strategy could give access to more complex colloidal superstructures through assembly.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44154-6

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