# Activity-Enhanced Self-Assembly of a Colloidal Kagome Lattice

## TL;DR

This paper presents a computer simulation method that uses active self-propulsion of colloids to efficiently assemble a kagome lattice, a structure that is difficult to form through passive self-assembly.

## Contribution

It introduces an active self-assembly approach for colloidal structures, specifically enhancing the formation of a kagome lattice via targeted propulsion.

## Key findings

- Self-propulsion significantly improves kagome lattice formation.
- Active approach destabilizes metastable aggregates.
- Method is general for various colloidal structures.

## Abstract

Here, we describe a method for the enhanced self-assembly of triblock Janus colloids targeted to form a kagome lattice. Using computer simulations, we demonstrate that the formation of this elusive structure can be significantly improved by self-propelling or activating the colloids along the axis connecting their hydrophobic hemispheres. The process by which metastable aggregates are destabilized and transformed into the favored kagome lattice is quite general, and we argue this active approach provides a systematic pathway to improving the self-assembly of a large number of colloidal structures.