Clusters of Anisotropic Colloidal Particles: from Colloidal Molecules to Supracolloidal Structures

Colloidal clusters have received considerable attention in recent years in the context of the fabrication of “colloidal molecules”, mimicking the symmetry of molecular structures, as well as for the self-assembly of finite supracolloidal structures, especially from anisotropic colloidal particles. Here we review recent studies on clusters of anisotropic colloidal particles, highlighting certain classes of supracolloidal structures that have emerged as recurrent themes in these studies. We emphasize the interplay of colloidal interactions, often arising from the presence of one or more anisotropy attributes, which drives the self-assembly into finite supracolloidal structures.