Controlling 2D Nanoparticle Self-Assembly Mesophases via Symmetry Breaking Driven by Single Bottlebrush Polymer Conjugation

Molecular simulations of a nearly flat particle layer show that attaching one bottlebrush polymer, a backbone crowded with side chains, to a nanoparticle breaks rotational symmetry. Backbone and side-chain design then select hexagonal, square, or chain-like assemblies, with missing or extra grafts shifting stability.