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Using molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained model, in conjunction with the weighted histogram analysis method, the adhesion modes of two spherical Janus nanoparticles (NPs) on the outer or inner side of lipid vesicles are explored. In particular, the effects of the area fraction, J , of the NPs that interact attractively with lipid head groups, the adhesion strength and the size of the NPs on their adhesion modes are investigated. The NPs are found to exhibit two main modes of adhesion when adhered to the outer side of the vesicle. In the first mode, which occurs at relatively low values of J , the NPs are apart from each other. In the second mode, which occurs at higher values of J , the NPs form an in-plane dimer. Janus NPs, which adhere to the inner side of the vesicle, are always found to be apart from each other, regardless of the value of J and their diameter.
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This content will become publicly available on March 5, 2026
Nanostar self-assemblies of spherical nanoparticles inside lipid vesicles
At moderate adhesion strength, nanoparticles (NPs) adhering to the inner side of a lipid vesicle self-assemble into highly ordered two-dimensional star-like nanoclusters with a number of arms determined by the number of NPs inside the vesicle.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1931837
- PAR ID:
- 10600540
- Publisher / Repository:
- Royal Society of Chemistry
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Soft Matter
- Volume:
- 21
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 1744-683X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 1849 to 1859
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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