title: Self-assembly of polymer-tethered nanorods.
abstract: We present results of molecular simulations that predict the phases formed by self-assembly of nanorods functionalized by a polymer "tether." Microphase separation of the immiscible tethers and rods coupled with the liquid crystal ordering of the rods induces the formation of a cubic phase, a smectic C phase, a tetragonally perforated lamellar phase, and a honeycomb phase; the latter two have been observed experimentally but have not been predicted. We also predict a new phase--a racemic mixture of hexagonally ordered chiral cylinders that self-assemble from these achiral building blocks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2136, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Horsch
authors.forename: Zhenli
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sharon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Glotzer