  Nanometer-sized clusters are often targeted due to their potential
applications as nanoreactors or storage/delivery devices. One route to assemble
and stabilize finite structures consists in imparting directional bonding
patterns between the nanoparticles. When only a portion of the particle surface
is able to form an inter-particle bond, finite-size aggregates such as micelles
and vesicles may form. Building on this approach, we combine particle shape
anisotropy with the directionality of the bonding patterns and investigate the
combined effect of particle elongation and surface patchiness on the low
density assembly scenario. To this aim, we study the assembly of
tip-functionalised Janus hard spherocylinder by means of Monte Carlo
simulations. By exploring the effects of changing the interaction strength and
range at different packing fractions, we highlight the role played by shape and
bond anisotropy on the emerging aggregates (micelles, vesicles, elongated
micelles and lamellae). We observe that shape anisotropy plays a crucial role
in suppressing phases that are typical to spherical Janus nanoparticles and
that a careful tuning of the interaction parameters allows to promote the
formation of spherical micelles. These finite-size spherical clusters composed
of elongated particles might offer more interstitials and larger surface areas
than those offered by micelles of spherical or almost-spherical units, thus
enhancing their storage and catalytic properties.
