title: Triblock colloids for directed self-assembly.
abstract: Methods for functionalizing micrometer-sized colloidal spheres with three or more zones of chemical functionality (ABA or ABC) are described. To produce ABA triblock colloids, we functionalized the north pole, south pole, and equator to produce what we call X, Y, and K functionality according to the number of allowed nearest neighbors and their spatial arrangements. These synthesis methods allowed targeting of various lattice structures whose bonding between neighboring particles in liquid suspension was visualized in situ by optical microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diesel
authors.forename: Jonathan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Whitmer
authors.forename: Sung Chul
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Luijten
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Granick