Particle self-assembly on soft elastic shells

Abstract

We use numerical simulations to show how noninteracting hard particles binding to a deformable elastic shell may self-assemble into a variety of linear patterns. This is a result of the nontrivial elastic response to deformations of shells. The morphology of the patterns can be controlled by the mechanical properties of the surface, and can be fine-tuned by varying the binding energy of the particles. We also repeat our calculations for a fully flexible chain and find that the chain conformations follow patterns similar to those formed by the nanoparticles under analogous conditions. We propose a simple way of understanding and sorting the different structures and relate it to the underlying shape transition of the shell. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results.

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Fluid membranes can drive linear aggregation of adsorbed spherical nanoparticles
• Curvature variation controls particle aggregation on fluid vesicles
• Soft elastic surfaces as a platform for particle self-assembly
• Point-like inclusion interactions in tubular membranes
• Role of particle local curvature in cellular wrapping