Kinetically limited valence of colloidal particles with surface mobile DNA linkers

Abstract

We characterize the self-assembly of colloidal particles with surface mobile DNA linkers under kinetically limited valence conditions. For this, we put forward a computer simulation model that captures quantitatively the interplay between the main dynamic processes governing these systems and allows the simulation of the long time scales reached in experiments. The model is validated by direct comparison with available experimental results, showing an overall good agreement that includes measurements of the average effective valence and its probability distribution as a function of the density of DNA linkers on the particles surface. Finally, simulation results are used to evidence the opposite impact of particle density and characteristic DNA hybridization time on the effective valence.