Bistable self-assembly in homogeneous colloidal systems for flexible modular architectures.

Steinbach, G; Nissen, D; Albrecht, M; Novak, E V; Sánchez, P A; Kantorovich, S S; Gemming, S; Erbe, A · Soft Matter · 2016

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

This paper presents a homogeneous system of magnetic colloidal particles that self-assembles via two structural patterns of different symmetry. Based on a qualitative comparison between a real magnetic particles system, analytical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, it is shown that bistability can be achieved by a proper tailoring of an anisotropic magnetization distribution inside the particles. The presented bistability opens new possibilities to form two-dimensionally extended and flexible structures where the connectivity between the particles can be changed in vivo.