Adsorption on a Spherical Colloidal Particle from a Mixture of Nanoparticles with Competing Interactions.

Adsorption of nanoparticles on a spherical colloidal particle is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. We consider a generic model for a mixture of nanoparticles with energetically favored self-assembly into alternating layers of the two components. When both components are attracted to the colloidal particle, the adsorbed nanoparticles self-assemble either into alternating parallel tori and clusters at the two poles of the colloidal particle, or into alternating spirals wrapped around the spherical surface.

Pattern Formation in Two-Component Monolayers of Particles with Competing Interactions.

Competing interactions between charged inclusions in membranes of living organisms or charged nanoparticles in near-critical mixtures can lead to self-assembly into various patterns. Motivated by these systems, we developed a simple triangular lattice model for binary mixtures of oppositely charged particles with additional short-range attraction or repulsion between like or different particles, respectively. We determined the ground state for the system in contact with a reservoir of the particles for the whole chemical potentials plane, and the structure of self-assembled conglomerates for fixed numbers of particles.

Continuous nonequilibrium transition driven by heat flow.

We discovered an out-of-equilibrium transition in the ideal gas between two walls, divided by an inner, adiabatic, movable wall. The system is driven out-of-equilibrium by supplying energy directly into the volume of the gas. At critical heat flux we have found a continuous transition to the state with a low-density, hot gas on one side of the movable wall and a dense, cold gas on the other side.

Adsorption in Mixtures with Competing Interactions.

A binary mixture of oppositely charged particles with additional short-range attraction between like particles and short-range repulsion between different ones in the neighborhood of a substrate preferentially adsorbing the first component is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The studied thermodynamic states correspond to an approach to the gas-crystal coexistence. Dependence of the near-surface structure, adsorption and selective adsorption on the strength of the wall-particle interactions and the gas density is determined.

Self-assembly in mixtures with competing interactions.

A binary mixture of particles interacting with spherically-symmetrical potentials leading to microsegregation is studied by theory and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We consider spherical particles with equal diameters and volume fractions. Motivated by the mixture of oppositely charged particles with different adsorption preferences immersed in a near-critical binary solvent, we assume short-range attraction long-range repulsion for the interaction between like particles, and short-range repulsion long-range attraction for the interaction between different ones.