(349f) Characterization of the Polarizability of Metallodielectric Janus Particles and Its Relationship to Active Motion

Active particles can absorb energy from their environment and convert it to a purposeful motion. However, efficient manipulation of their motion at the microscale is a great challenge. In the current study, we investigate the polarization of metallodielectric Janus particles (JP) and its relationship to both individual and collective motion. In our numerical studies, we calculate the polarization density of particles of different structure and chemical composition under different experimental conditions (e.g. ionic conductivity). From such calculations, we extract the real and complex parts of the anisotropic Clausius-Mossotti (CM) factor. To validate the numerical studies, we measure the response of JPs to rotating electric fields (electrorotation) under different conditions. In addition, we study the relationship between the characteristics of the JPs’ motion under uniform AC electric fields and their intrinsic polarizability. This work offers useful insights for the effective and efficient manipulation of colloidal particles using electromagnetic fields.