Self-assembly at a nonequilibrium critical point.
We use analytic theory and computer simulation to study patterns formed during the growth of two-component assemblies in two and three dimensions. We show that these patterns undergo a nonequilibrium phase transition, at a particular growth rate, between mixed and demixed arrangements of component types. This finding suggests that principles of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics can be used to predict the outcome of multicomponent self-assembly, and suggests an experimental route to the self-assembly of multicomponent structures of a qualitatively defined nature.
Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Stephen
S
Whitelam
Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
Lester O
LO
Hedges
Department of Physics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, USA.
Jeremy D
JD
Schmit