Self-propelled nanodimer bound state pairs

URL:

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78650150441&doi=10.1063%2f1.3506859&partnerID=40&md5=c1e401f4a31e863194416a28b9f99f3c

Keywords:

algorithm, Algorithms, Analytical calculation, Article, Bound state, Center-of-mass, chemical structure, Computer Simulation, Depletion interactions, Diffusion, Diffusive motions, Dimerization, Dimers, Interaction energies, Models, Molecular, Motion, Non-equilibrium concentrations, Particle-based simulation, Phase diagrams, Rotating dimers, Unbound state

Abstract:

A pair of chemically powered self-propelled nanodimers can exist in a variety of bound and unbound states after undergoing a collision. In addition to independently moving unbound dimers, bound Brownian dimer pairs, whose center-of-mass exhibits diffusive motion, self-propelled moving dimer pairs with directed motion, and bound rotating dimer pairs, were observed. The bound pairs arise from a solvent depletion interaction, which depends on the nonequilibrium concentration field in the vicinity of dimers. The phase diagram reported in the paper shows regions in monomer interaction energy-diameter plane where these bound and unbound states are found. Particle-based simulations and analytical calculations are used to provide insight into the nature of interaction between dimers that gives rise to the observed bound states. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.