Active colloidal molecules

Institut für Theoretische Physik II: Weiche Materie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

Received: 26 March 2018
Accepted: 9 April 2018

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.