Patchy particles have received great attention due to their ability to develop directional and selective interactions and serve as building units for the self-assembly of innovative colloidal molecules and crystalline structures. However, synthesizing particles with multiple dissimilar patches is still highly challenging and lacks efficient methods. These building blocks would open paths towards a broader range of ordered materials and their inherent properties.
In this paper, we describe a new approach to pattern functional DNA patches at the surface of particles, by use of colloidal stamps. DNA inks are transferred only at the contact zones between the target particle and stamps colloids thanks to selective strand-displacement reactions. The produced DNA-patchy particles are ideal candidates to act as advanced precision/designer building blocks to self-assemble the next generation of colloidal materials, like tiny Lego pieces that would assemble by themselves.
Contact: Etienne Ducrot and Serge Ravaine