The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Colloidal cluster formation has predominantly been studied using uniform, spherical particles, yielding highly symmetric structures such as icosahedral or shell-like clusters. However, real-world colloids often exhibit heterogeneity in size and shape, and the influence of this non-uniformity on cluster formation remains poorly understood. In this work, we investigate the equilibrium assembly of clusters formed from polydisperse, morphologically irregular silica particles. By tracking the structural evolution of individual clusters over time, we reveal how local packing constraints and geometric frustration guide their formation. Despite the absence of symmetry, the resulting clusters exhibit reproducible structural motifs, suggesting robust organizing principles even in heterogeneous systems. These results suggest generalized mechanisms for structural organization in polydisperse systems and inform strategies for bottom-up design using realistic colloidal components.