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Lock and key colloids

Author

Listed:
  • S. Sacanna

    (New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, USA)

  • W. T. M. Irvine

    (New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, USA)

  • P. M. Chaikin

    (New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, USA)

  • D. J. Pine

    (New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003, USA)

Abstract

The key to self-assembly Many functional materials can be created by directing the assembly of colloidal particles into a predetermined structure. Control over particle assembly usually involves tagging them with molecules such as DNA that can recognize and bind each other. But new work shows that shape complementarity — the construction of colloids using a lock-and-key recognition mechanism — offers a simple and effective alternative control mechanism. The keys are colloidal spheres, and monodisperse colloidal particles with a spherical cavity are the locks. The two will spontaneously and reversibly bind via the depletion interaction if their sizes match. This procedure yields complex colloidal structures held together by flexible bonds, and offers a simple yet general means to program and direct colloidal self-assembly.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Sacanna & W. T. M. Irvine & P. M. Chaikin & D. J. Pine, 2010. "Lock and key colloids," Nature, Nature, vol. 464(7288), pages 575-578, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:464:y:2010:i:7288:d:10.1038_nature08906
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08906
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    Cited by:

    1. Piet J. M. Swinkels & Zhe Gong & Stefano Sacanna & Eva G. Noya & Peter Schall, 2023. "Visualizing defect dynamics by assembling the colloidal graphene lattice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Dengping Lyu & Wei Xu & Jae Elise L. Payong & Tianran Zhang & Yufeng Wang, 2022. "Low-dimensional assemblies of metal-organic framework particles and mutually coordinated anisotropy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Agnese I. Curatolo & Ofer Kimchi & Carl P. Goodrich & Ryan K. Krueger & Michael P. Brenner, 2023. "A computational toolbox for the assembly yield of complex and heterogeneous structures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Tianran Zhang & Dengping Lyu & Wei Xu & Xuan Feng & Ran Ni & Yufeng Wang, 2023. "Janus particles with tunable patch symmetry and their assembly into chiral colloidal clusters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.

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