title: Shape allophiles improve entropic assembly.
abstract: We investigate a class of "shape allophiles" that fit together like puzzle pieces as a method to access and stabilize desired structures by controlling directional entropic forces. Squares are cut into rectangular halves, which are shaped in an allophilic manner with the goal of re-assembling the squares while self-assembling the square lattice. We examine the assembly characteristics of this system via the potential of mean force and torque, and the fraction of particles that entropically bind. We generalize our findings and apply them to self-assemble triangles into a square lattice via allophilic shaping. Through these studies we show how shape allophiles can be useful for assembling and stabilizing desired phases with appropriate allophilic design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Ryan L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Marson
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Anders
authors.forename: Sharon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Glotzer
mesh_terms: D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D019277:Entropy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D066329:Protein Aggregates
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D066329:Protein Aggregates