Geometry induced sequence of nanoscale Frank–Kasper and quasicrystal mesophases in giant surfactants
Abstract
How far can we push self-assembly toward unusual nanostructures? Frank–Kasper and quasicrystal phases represent unconventional phases of ordered spheroids originally identified in metal alloys. We report that Frank–Kasper and quasicrystal phases and their transition sequence are observed in one-component giant surfactants by introducing variations in molecular geometry. Both X-ray scattering and electron microscopy techniques are used to identify the self-assembled nanostructures. Combining molecular dynamics simulations, we attribute the appearance of these phases to molecular geometry as a result of tail number variation. Our findings lay the foundation for rational design of unconventional soft-matter phases and for exploiting them for unusual properties and functions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Nov 28, 2016
- Source ID
- 10.1073/pnas.1609422113
Entities
People
- Chang Liu
- Chrys Wesdemiotis
- Hao Liu
- Jiahao Huang
- Jing Wang
- Jinlin He
- Kan Wu
- Kan Yue
- Mingjun Huang
- Peihong Ni
- Ryan L. Marson
- Sharon Glotzer
- Stephen Z. D. Cheng
- Wei Zhang
- Wen-bin Zhang
- Xuesheng Yan
- Zaihong Guo
- Zhe Zhou
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- National Science Foundation
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province
- Peking University
- Soochow University
- University of Akron
- University of Michigan