Self-assembly of polymer-tethered nanorods.
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.
Horsch
Mark A
MA
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2136, USA.
Zhang
Zhenli
Z
Glotzer
Sharon C
SC