Title: Design of lobed colloidal particles with core-shell morphologies

Author (Table Talk): Borna Fardsadegh, PhD student at the University of New Hampshire

Abstract:

Hi, I am willing to join to the Poster session. Colloidal particles featuring protruding lobes exhibit remarkable self-assembly, leading to the formation of porous superstructures that mimic core-shell particles, characterized by distinct core and shell materials. Our investigation explored a system with dumbbell-shaped and tetrahedral particles, both critical to the self-assembly process. We systematically analyzed five distinct seed particle radii, keeping the lobe radius constant, to pinpoint the critical ratio of seed particle size to lobes. Additionally, we examined three varying density levels by adjusting the simulation box size, recognizing density's significant influence on particle interactions and assembly. After ensuring a well-mixed system, we progressively lowered the temperature, enabling us to meticulously observe and analyze the complex formation of core-shell structures. Our findings significantly advance the broader understanding of self-assembly phenomena, with implications across various technological and biomedical fields, as the intricate interplay among particle size, density, and temperature offers valuable insights into the behavior of these unique colloidal systems. Furthermore, coarse-grained simulations demonstrated the assembly of these particles into diverse morphologies, from spheres to nanorods, underscoring the sophisticated potential of core and shell particles in designing complex structures; we propose that stimuli-responsive core-shell microgel structures hold considerable promise for applications in tissue engineering, biomedicine, and biosensing.