Spherical gold nanoparticles (not shown) are asymmetrically coated with S-(CH₂)₁₇-COOH ligands in water. S atoms are shown in yellow, CH₂ chains in blue, COOH groups in red.

From the article:

Spontaneous Asymmetry of Coated Spherical Nanoparticles in Solution and at Liquid-Vapor Interfaces
J. Matthew D. Lane and Gary S. Grest
Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 235501 (2010)

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