Spontaneous Formation of Moiré Patterns through Self-Assembly of Janus Nanoparticles

Two periodic two-dimensional lattices overlap with each other with a twisted angle can result in moiré patterns (MPs). In this in silico study, we show that by using amphiphilic Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) as a building block, the MPs of JNPs emerge spontaneously via direct self-assembly in dilute solution without additional complicated operation. The formation of MPs is attributed to the hydrophobicity of the nanoparticles (and the so-induced "force strings" at the membrane rim) together with suitable grafted hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain lengths. The mass production of MPs with controlled size can be fulfilled by adding stabilizers that effectively reduce the line tension at the rim of membranes with MPs.