Depletion interactions on soft colloids: Glass formation, melting and demixing

C. N. Likos (Corresponding author)

Publications: Contribution to bookContribution to proceedingsPeer Reviewed

Abstract

In this Chapter, we discuss novel aspects of the depletion interaction, which arise in situations in which the large colloidal particles in the mixture are not hard but rather soft, penetrable spherical aggregates. Given the fact that true hard-sphere interactions are extremely challenging to realize experimentally, soft colloids are indeed the rule in complex, soft matter fluids, and not the exception. We adopt star polymers as prototypes of soft colloids and we consider depleting agents at the two extremes of the colloid-polymer spectrum: linear homopolymer chains, on the one hand, and small, hard spherical colloids, on the other. We analyze in detail the quantitative characteristics of the ensuing depletion interactions and we demonstrate that they have novel and unexpected features, stemming from the softness of the depleted particles and their penetrability to the additives. The implications of these characteristics on the thermodynamics and rheology of the mixtures are also critically discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
EditorsPrimoz Ziherl, Christos N. Likos, Emanuela Zaccarelli, Francesco Sciortino, Primoz Ziherl
PublisherIOS Press
Pages57-80
Number of pages24
ISBN (Print)978-1-61499-661-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventInternational School of Physics Enrico Fermi - , Italy
Duration: 29 Jun 20157 Jul 2015

Publication series

SeriesProceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
Volume193
ISSN0074-784X

Conference

ConferenceInternational School of Physics Enrico Fermi
Country/TerritoryItaly
Period29/06/157/07/15

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 103023 Polymer physics

Keywords

  • POLYMER MIXTURES
  • PHASE-SEPARATION
  • CLUSTER FORMATION
  • PAIR POTENTIALS
  • STAR POLYMERS
  • SIMPLE FLUIDS
  • MODEL
  • SUSPENSIONS
  • BEHAVIOR
  • GELATION

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