Effect of Valency on the Dynamics and Thermodynamics of DNA-linked Nanoparticles Materials

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Document

Nanoparticles (NP) functionalized with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) offer a route to custom-designed, self-assembled nanomaterials with potentially unusual properties. We explore the phase behavior and structure of a model for NP functionalized with between 3 and 6 short ssDNA through simulations, allowing us to examine both the role of the number of attached strands (valency) and their relative orientations. We find that 3 to 5-functionalized NP form amorphous systems, with 4 and 5-functionalized NP constructing an unusual multitude of liquid phases, or polyamorphism, through interpenetration of networks. The 6-functionalized NP with octahedral symmetry form at least six crystalline structures, consisting of up to six interpenetrating simple cubic lattices. The crystallization dynamics of the 6-functionalized system follows the conventional two-step pathway, demonstrating that such mechanism applies to our NP system with complex interactions.

    Item Description
    Name(s)
    Author: Dai, Wei
    Thesis advisor: Starr, Francis
    Date
    April 15, 2010
    Extent
    90 pages
    Language
    eng
    Genre
    Physical Form
    electronic
    Discipline
    Rights and Use
    In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted
    Digital Collection
    PID
    ir:1528