Effect of the number of patches on the growth of networks of patchy colloids on substrates

TL;DR

This study numerically explores how the number of patches on spherical colloids influences their irreversible aggregation on substrates, revealing effects on bulk structure, density, and bond orientation, with all interfaces following the KPZ universality class.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of how patch number affects aggregate structure and kinetics, highlighting the universality class and structural variations.

Findings

Interface growth follows KPZ universality class.

Bulk density depends on number of patches.

Networks are more ordered with fewer patches.

Abstract

We investigate numerically the irreversible aggregation of patchy spherical colloids on a flat substrate. We consider $n$-patch particles and characterize the dependence of the irreversible aggregation kinetics on $n$. For all values of $n$, considered in this study, the growing interface of the aggregate is in the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality class, although the bulk structure exhibits a rich dependence on $n$. In particular, the bulk density varies with $n$ and the network is more ordered for particles with fewer patches. Preferred orientations of the bonds are also observed for networks of particles with low $n$.