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Related Concept Videos

Micelles01:30

Micelles

Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...
The Colloidal State01:29

The Colloidal State

The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...
Colloids03:22

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...
Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly
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Patterning of Microorganisms and Microparticles through Sequential Capillarity-assisted Assembly

Published on: November 4, 2021

Surface roughness directed self-assembly of patchy particles into colloidal micelles.

Daniela J Kraft1, Ran Ni, Frank Smallenburg

  • 1Van 't Hoff Laboratory for Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Debye Institute for NanoMaterials Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands. d.j.kraft@uu.nl

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|June 21, 2012
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Summary

Patchy colloidal particles, engineered with specific interactions, self-assemble into "colloidal micelles." This breakthrough enables the creation of complex structures with tunable properties through bottom-up assembly.

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Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
09:26

Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids

Published on: April 22, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Colloid Science
  • Soft Matter Physics

Background:

  • Patchy colloidal particles offer precise control over self-assembly for creating complex structures.
  • Existing methods often lack the specificity required for advanced material design.
  • Directional interactions are key to achieving rationally designed material properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally realize patchy colloidal particles using depletion interactions and surface roughness.
  • To investigate the self-assembly behavior of these particles, particularly one-patch colloids.
  • To model and understand the formation of colloidal micelles and compare them to surfactant micelles.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of patchy colloidal particles with distinct smooth patches on rough surfaces.
  • Experimental observation of particle self-assembly and cluster formation.
  • Direct Monte Carlo simulations to analyze cluster size distributions and compare with experimental data.

Main Results:

  • Patchy particles with curved, smooth patches exhibit exclusive attractive interactions due to differential overlap volumes.
  • One-patch particles self-assemble into clusters resembling surfactant micelles, termed 'colloidal micelles'.
  • Simulation results for cluster size distributions closely match experimental findings.

Conclusions:

  • The developed patchy particle system successfully mimics surfactant behavior, forming colloidal micelles.
  • This model system provides a platform for studying self-assembly into finite superstructures and novel crystal structures.
  • The approach offers new possibilities for bottom-up fabrication of materials with designed properties.