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Magic number colloidal clusters as minimum free energy structures

Author

Listed:
  • Junwei Wang

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Chrameh Fru Mbah

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Thomas Przybilla

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Benjamin Apeleo Zubiri

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Erdmann Spiecker

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Michael Engel

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

  • Nicolas Vogel

    (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg)

Abstract

Clusters in systems as diverse as metal atoms, virus proteins, noble gases, and nucleons have properties that depend sensitively on the number of constituent particles. Certain numbers are termed ‘magic’ because they grant the system with closed shells and exceptional stability. To this point, magic number clusters have been exclusively found with attractive interactions as present between atoms. Here we show that magic number clusters exist in a confined soft matter system with negligible interactions. Colloidal particles in an emulsion droplet spontaneously organize into a series of clusters with precisely defined shell structures. Crucially, free energy calculations demonstrate that colloidal clusters with magic numbers possess higher thermodynamic stability than those off magic numbers. A complex kinetic pathway is responsible for the efficiency of this system in finding its minimum free energy configuration. Targeting similar magic number states is a strategy towards unique configurations in finite self-organizing systems across the scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Junwei Wang & Chrameh Fru Mbah & Thomas Przybilla & Benjamin Apeleo Zubiri & Erdmann Spiecker & Michael Engel & Nicolas Vogel, 2018. "Magic number colloidal clusters as minimum free energy structures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07600-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07600-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Da Wang & Michiel Hermes & Stan Najmr & Nikos Tasios & Albert Grau-Carbonell & Yang Liu & Sara Bals & Marjolein Dijkstra & Christopher B. Murray & Alfons Blaaderen, 2022. "Structural diversity in three-dimensional self-assembly of nanoplatelets by spherical confinement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Sangmin Lee & Sharon C. Glotzer, 2022. "Entropically engineered formation of fivefold and icosahedral twinned clusters of colloidal shapes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Richard M. Parker & Tianheng H. Zhao & Bruno Frka-Petesic & Silvia Vignolini, 2022. "Cellulose photonic pigments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Chrameh Fru Mbah & Junwei Wang & Silvan Englisch & Praveen Bommineni & Nydia Roxana Varela-Rosales & Erdmann Spiecker & Nicolas Vogel & Michael Engel, 2023. "Early-stage bifurcation of crystallization in a sphere," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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