Title: Reversible aggregation of Patchy Colloidal particles: Chains, bundles and crystals.

Biography:

Abstract

In the present study we are performing simulation of simple model of two patch colloidal particles undergoing reversible diffusion limited cluster aggregation using patchy Brownian cluster dynamics. In addition to the reversible aggregation of patches, the spheres are coupled with isotropic reversible aggregation through the Kern-Frenkel potential. We have investigated the effect of strength of bond (anisotropic and isotropic) interaction on self-assembly under different solvent qualities for various volume fractions. We define the strength of isotropic (anisotropic) temperature T_i (T_a). We will show that at low T_i, we end up with chain conformation or monomeric conformation depending upon T_a.  Bundling and crystallization process is similar to nucleation and growth phenomenon observed in colloidal system with short-range interaction. Transition from chains to bundles and bundles to crystals will be discussed. We are also proposing a model for amyloid fibers and sickle cell crystallization.