Formation of self-propelling clusters starting from randomly dispersed Brownian particles

Abstract

We present a simple chemical strategy for the formation of a self-propelling cluster via the process of capture and assembly of passive colloids on the surface of a chemically active colloid. The two species of colloids that are isotropic and Brownian otherwise interact to form propelling cluster. With the help of coarse-grained numerical simulations, we show that a chemically active colloid can induce diffusiophoretic motility to nearby chemically inert colloids towards itself. This propulsion and then self-assembly can then lead to the formation of active cluster. We observe the formation of propelling dimers, trimers, tetramers, etc. depending on the chemical activity and size of the colloids.