Colloids with Valence and Specific Directional Bonding

Overview

Journal Nature

Specialty Science

Date 2012 Nov 7

PMID 23128225

Citations 175

Authors

Yufeng Wang

Yu Wang

Dana R Breed

Vinothan N Manoharan

Lang Feng

Andrew D Hollingsworth

Marcus Weck

David J Pine

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The ability to design and assemble three-dimensional structures from colloidal particles is limited by the absence of specific directional bonds. As a result, complex or low-coordination structures, common in atomic and molecular systems, are rare in the colloidal domain. Here we demonstrate a general method for creating the colloidal analogues of atoms with valence: colloidal particles with chemically distinct surface patches that imitate hybridized atomic orbitals, including sp, sp(2), sp(3), sp(3)d, sp(3)d(2) and sp(3)d(3). Functionalized with DNA with single-stranded sticky ends, patches on different particles can form highly directional bonds through programmable, specific and reversible DNA hybridization. These features allow the particles to self-assemble into 'colloidal molecules' with triangular, tetrahedral and other bonding symmetries, and should also give access to a rich variety of new microstructured colloidal materials.

Citing Articles

Flexible interaction patches lead to building blocks with fluctuating valency.

Stevens T, Moerman P Nat Chem. 2025; 17(3):305-306.

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Topological linking determines elasticity in limited valence networks.

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Partially Bonded Crystals: A Pathway to Porosity and Polymorphism.

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Active doping controls the mode of failure in dense colloidal gels.

Zhou T, Brady J Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024; 121(50):e2407424121.

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Design principles, growth laws, and competition of minimal autocatalysts.

Sakref Y, Rivoire O Commun Chem. 2024; 7(1):239.

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