Interfacial aggregation of Janus rods in binary polymer blends and their effect on phase separation

Janus particles interfacially self-assemble into different structures when incorporated into multiphase systems. Dissipative particle dynamics simulations are employed herein to investigate the interplay between aggregation mechanisms and phase separation in polymer blends. Shorter rods with a standing configuration become increasingly "caged" or trapped in larger aggregates as weight fraction increases, which is reflected in the way that their diffusion is coupled to their aggregation rates. Janus rods of higher aspect ratios that are tilted at the interface aggregate side-by-side and are able to hinder phase separation kinetics. This is due to a combination of individual Janus rod conformations at the interface, their intrinsic aggregation mechanisms, aggregate fractal dimension, and aggregation rates, and can also be traced back to the scaling of the diffusion coefficient of aggregates with their size. Findings presented provide insight into the mechanisms governing two dimensionally growing colloidal aggregates at fluid interfaces, more specifically, those associated with Janus particles, and shed light on the potential of these systems in paving the way for designing new functional materials.