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Field-induced assembly of colloidal ellipsoids into well-defined microtubules

Author

Listed:
  • Jérôme J. Crassous

    (Physical Chemistry, Lund University)

  • Adriana M. Mihut

    (Physical Chemistry, Lund University)

  • Erik Wernersson

    (Physical Chemistry, Lund University)

  • Patrick Pfleiderer

    (KU Leuven, University of Leuven
    University of Konstanz)

  • Jan Vermant

    (KU Leuven, University of Leuven
    ETH Zürich)

  • Per Linse

    (Physical Chemistry, Lund University)

  • Peter Schurtenberger

    (Physical Chemistry, Lund University)

Abstract

Current theoretical attempts to understand the reversible formation of stable microtubules and virus shells are generally based on shape-specific building blocks or monomers, where the local curvature of the resulting structure is explicitly built-in via the monomer geometry. Here we demonstrate that even simple ellipsoidal colloids can reversibly self-assemble into regular tubular structures when subjected to an alternating electric field. Supported by model calculations, we discuss the combined effects of anisotropic shape and field-induced dipolar interactions on the reversible formation of self-assembled structures. Our observations show that the formation of tubular structures through self-assembly requires much less geometrical and interaction specificity than previously thought, and advance our current understanding of the minimal requirements for self-assembly into regular virus-like structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Jérôme J. Crassous & Adriana M. Mihut & Erik Wernersson & Patrick Pfleiderer & Jan Vermant & Per Linse & Peter Schurtenberger, 2014. "Field-induced assembly of colloidal ellipsoids into well-defined microtubules," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6516
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6516
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