Physical Review E 2017-07-17

Self-assembly of rigid magnetic rods consisting of single dipolar beads in two dimensions

Jorge L. C. Domingos, François M. Peeters, and W. P. Ferreira

Index: 10.1103/PhysRevE.96.012603

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Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the structural properties of a two-dimensional ensemble of magnetic rods, which are modeled as aligned single dipolar beads. The obtained self-assembled configurations can be characterized as (1) clusters, (2) percolated, and (3) ordered structures, and their structural properties are investigated in detail. By increasing the aspect ratio of the magnetic rods, we show that the percolation transition is suppressed due to the reduced mobility of the rods in two dimensions. Such a behavior is opposite to the one observed in three dimensions. A magnetic bulk phase is found with local ferromagnetic order and an unusual nonmonotonic behavior of the nematic order is observed.