Abstract Self-organization in anisotropic colloidal suspensions leads to a fascinating range of crystal and liquid phases induced by shape alone. Simulations predict the phase behaviour plethora shapes while experimental realization often lags behind. Here, we present superball particles with between that sphere cube. In particular, observe formation plastic translational order orientational disorder, subsequent transformation into rhombohedral crystals. Moreover, uncover is richer than...

Investigation of the dynamics colloids in bulk can be hindered by issues such as multiple scattering and sample opacity. These challenges are exacerbated when dealing with inorganic materials. In this study, we employed a model system Akaganeite colloidal rods to assess three leading measurement techniques: 3D-(depolarized) dynamic light (3D-(D)DLS), polarized-differential microscopy (P-DDM), x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS). Our analysis revealed that translational rotational...

Abstract The collagen triple helix assembles hierarchically into bundled oligomers, solvated networks and fibers. Synthetic peptide assemblies, driven by supramolecular interactions, can form single helices through intrahelical amino acid pairs, but the principles guiding interhelical associations higher-order structures remain unclear. Here, we incorporate cation- π electrostatic charge pairs to probe interactions elucidate mechanisms driving assembly fibrils, nanotubes, nanosheets....

The structure and functionality of pea albumin can be described in detail as a combination its main fractions, PA1 PA2. PA2 were purified from Pea Albumin extract (PA) using size exclusion chromatography, characterized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Their secondary was analyzed Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). structures before after heat treatment (90 °C, 1 & 5 min) investigated Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). SAXS intensities evaluated high-resolution models...

Differential dynamic microscopy is used to study the arrest transition in concentrated suspensions of colloidal ellipsoids.

Diffusion of proteins on length scales their size is crucial for understanding the machinery living cells. X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) currently only way to access long-time collective diffusion these scales, but radiation damage so far limits use in biological systems. We apply a new approach XPCS measure cage relaxation crowded α-crystallin solutions. This allows us correct effects, obtain missing information long time diffusion, and support fundamental analogy between...

An anisotropic colloidal shape in combination with an externally tunable interaction potential results a plethora of self-assembled structures applications toward the fabrication smart materials. Here we present our investigation on influence external magnetic field self-assembly hematite-silica core-shell prolate colloids for two aspect ratios ρ = 2.9 and 3.69. Our study shows rather counterintuitive but interesting phenomenon, where self-assemble into oblate liquid crystalline (LC) phases....

Abstract Manipulation of the self‐assembly magnetic colloidal particles by an externally applied field paves a way toward developing novel stimuli responsive photonic structures. Using microradian X‐ray scattering technique we have investigated different crystal structures exhibited core–shell magnetite/silica nanoparticles. An external was employed to tune crystallization. We find that equilibrium structure in absence is random hexagonal close‐packed (RHCP) one. External drives...

The influence of an applied magnetic field on the collective dynamics novel anisotropic colloidal particles whose shape resembles peanuts is reported. Being made up hematite cores and silica shells, these micrometer-sized align in a direction perpendicular to external field, assemble into chains along direction. investigated using multispeckle ultrasmall-angle X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (USA-XPCS). results indicate that particle strongly depends length scale probed. Here,...

We describe the synthesis of hybrid magnetic ellipsoidal nanoparticles that consist a mixture two different iron oxide phases, hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) and maghemite (γ-Fe₂O₃), characterize their field-driven self-assembly.

We demonstrate a unique shear-induced crystallization phenomenon above the equilibrium freezing temperature in weakly swollen isotropic and lamellar mesophases with bilayers formed cationic-anionic mixed surfactant system. Synchrotron rheological X-ray diffraction study reveals transition to be reversible under shear (i.e., on stopping shear, nonequilibrium crystalline phase melts back mesophase). This is different from shear-driven below , which irreversible. Rheological optical...

Here we present the field induced self-assembly of anisotropic colloidal particles whose shape resembles peanuts. Being made up hematite core and silica shell, these align in a direction perpendicular to applied external magnetic field. Using small-angle X-ray scattering with microradian resolution (μrad-SAXS) sedimented samples, have found that one can tune self-assembled structures by changing time application If is after sedimentation, structure nematic one, while dipolar chains are...

The structure of the ripple phase phospholipid membranes remains poorly understood in spite a large number theoretical studies, with many experimentally established structural features this unaccounted for. In article we present phenomenological theory transitions single- and two-component achiral lipid terms two coupled order parameters: scalar parameter describing chain melting, vector tilt hydrocarbon chains below chain-melting transition. This model reproduces all salient phase,...

We present a phenomenological theory of phase transitions in achiral lipid membranes terms two coupled order parameters —a scalar parameter describing chain melting, and vector the tilt hydrocarbon chains below chain-melting transition. Existing theoretical models fail to account for all observed features diagram, particular detailed microstructure asymmetric ripple lying between fluid tilted gel phase. In contrast, our two-component reproduces salient structural phase, providing unified...

Hydrogels that are pH-sensitive and partially cross-linked by cobalt ferrite nanoparticles exhibit remarkable remanent magnetization behavior. The magnetic fields measured outside our thin disks of ferrogel weak, but in the steady state, field dependence on content gels measurement geometry is as expected from theory. In contrast, time-dependent behavior surprisingly complicated. During swelling, first rapidly increases then slowly decreases. We ascribe swelling-induced enhancement to a...

We report the collapse of an electrostatically swollen surfactant lamellar phase above a critical concentration added nonionic due to hydrogen bonding between two types headgroups. At still higher concentrations neutral temperature-driven coacervate transition is observed. Small-angle X-ray diffraction pattern can be modeled as arising from bilayers with short-range positional correlations, whereas cryo-scanning electron microscopy images show bilayer-like features riddled pores. Very...

Abstract Soft and biological materials are often composed of elementary constituents exhibiting an incessant roto-translational motion at the microscopic scale. Tracking this with a bright-field microscope becomes increasingly challenging when particle size smaller than resolution, case which is frequently encountered. Here we demonstrate squared-gradient differential dynamic microscopy (SG-DDM) as tool to successfully use extract dynamics small anisotropic colloidal particles, whose...

Self-assembly of amphiphiles in aqueous solution gives rise to diverse liquid crystalline phases with different structures and properties. These possess symmetries the transition between them is associated strong topological changes. For example, it intriguing how 2-dimensional bilayer sheets transform into 1-dimensional rods (building blocks hexagonal phase) via a complicated unit involving node connecting three at certain angle—the type-I Ia3d cubic phase. Using AOT–p-toluidine...

The crystalline structure assembled out of charge-stabilized asymmetric dumbbell-like colloidal particles in ethyl alcohol by sedimentation has been probed using small-angle X-ray scattering with microradian resolution. existence plastic face-centered cubic crystals was inferred from the observed Bragg peaks. presence stacking faults and mosaic sample lead to appearance diffuse scattering, forming cylinders three-dimensional reciprocal space. quality structure, as ascertained a detailed...

Stimuli-responsive self-assembly of (an) isotropic colloids has resulted in a plethora self-assembled structures with potential applications fabricating smart materials. A lack detailed understanding the interplay between these and resulting dynamics often impeded exploitation their full potential. Herein, we have unveiled relationship field-driven corresponding collective at nearest neighbor length scale using X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy magnetic colloidal ellipsoids. We...

The application of dynamic light scattering to soft matter systems has strongly profited from advanced approaches such as the so-called modulated 3D cross correlation technique (Mod3D-DLS) that suppress contributions multiple scattering, and can therefore be used for characterization turbid samples. Here we now extend possibilities this allow depolarized (Mod3D-DDLS) thus obtain information on both translational rotational diffusion, which is important anisotropic particles. We describe...

We report the observation of an isotropic phase amphiphile bilayers, characterized by small average inter-bilayer spacing and short-range positional correlations. These bilayers form a weakly swollen lamellar (Lα) over wide range water content, which transforms into (Li) on heating. This transition is not observed in samples without excess water, where Lα stable at higher temperatures. Small-angle X-ray scattering ionic conductivity studies indicate that Lα–Li driven unbinding edge...

Herein we present our results on the investigation of influence external magnetic fields anisotropic collective dynamics core/shell colloidal cubes having a hematite core and silica shell. Owing to cores, these micrometer-sized particles possess permanent dipole moments, which are at an angle with respect long diagonal cubes. As result, they self-assemble into chains, subsequently sediment form higher-order structures. Using multispeckle ultrasmall-angle x-ray photon correlation...

Anisotropic particles are known to exhibit a richer and more complex phase behavior in comparison their spherical counterpart. While the majority of existing studies address structural properties, dynamic anisotropic is relatively lesser explored avenue. Using multispeckle ultra-small-angle x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (USA-XPCS), we have carried out systematic investigation properties colloidal ellipsoids at nearest-neighbor length scale. The USA-XPCS measurements allowed us probe,...

We have studied the effect of two secosteroids, namely cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol D2), on structure phase behavior dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membranes using X-ray diffraction. Temperature–composition diagrams both systems been determined from diffraction data aligned multilayers at 98% relative humidity. The are found to be almost identical, with appearance four distinct modulated phases as a function secosteroid concentration below main-transition lipid....