# Distinct aggregation patterns and fluid porous phase in a 2D model for colloids with competitive interactions

## TL;DR

This study uses Langevin Dynamics simulations to explore self-assembly patterns in a 2D colloidal system with competitive interactions, revealing a fluid porous phase at high densities and temperatures.

## Contribution

It introduces the concept of a fluid porous phase in a 2D colloidal system with competitive interactions, expanding understanding of phase behavior in such systems.

## Key findings

- Identification of a fluid porous phase with high mobility at high density and temperature.
- Observation of triangular packing in both solid and fluid porous phases.
- Porous structures are stable over a wide range of conditions.

## Abstract

In this paper we explore the self-assembly patterns in a two dimensional colloidal system using extensive Langevin Dynamics simulations. The pair potential proposed to model the competitive interaction have a short range length scale between first neighbors and a second characteristic length scale between third neighbors. We investigate how the temperature and colloidal density will affect the assembled morphologies. The potential shows aggregate patterns similar to observed in previous works, as clusters, stripes and porous phase. Nevertheless, we observe at high densities and temperatures a porous mesophase with a high mobility, which we name fluid porous phase, while at lower temperatures the porous structure is rigid. triangular packing was observed for the colloids and pores in both solid and fluid porous phases. Our results show that the porous structure is well defined for a large range of temperature and density, and that the fluid porous phase is a consequence of the competitive interaction and the random forces from the Langevin Dynamics.