Active Colloidal Molecules

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in the field of active colloidal molecules, which are self-assembled structures of colloidal particles with active components that exhibit dynamic behaviors like spinning or rotating.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of active colloidal molecules, highlighting recent advances and potential directions.

Findings

Active colloidal molecules exhibit diverse structures such as homonuclear and heteronuclear forms.

They demonstrate dynamic functions like propelling, spinning, and rotating.

Recent studies have advanced understanding of their self-assembly and behaviors.

Abstract

Like ordinary molecules are composed of atoms, colloidal molecules consist of several species of colloidal particles tightly bound together. If one of these components is self-propelled or swimming, novel "active colloidal molecules" emerge. Active colloidal molecules exist on various levels such as "homonuclear", "heteronuclear" and "polymeric" and possess a dynamical function moving as propellers, spinners or rotors. Self-assembly of such active complexes has been studied a lot recently and this perspective article summarizes recent progress and gives an outlook to future developments in the rapidly expanding field of active colloidal molecules.