Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2008-12-18
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
30 pages, 25 figures
Scientific paper
Using molecular dynamics computer simulations we investigate the aging dynamics of a gel. We start from a fractal structure generated by the DLCA-DEF algorithm, onto which we then impose an interaction potential consisting of a short-range attraction as well as a long-range repulsion. After relaxing the system at T=0, we let it evolve at a fixed finite temperature. Depending on the temperature T we find different scenarios for the aging behavior. For T>0.2 the fractal structure is unstable and breaks up into small clusters which relax to equilibrium. For T<0.2 the structure is stable and the dynamics slows down with increasing waiting time. At intermediate and low T the mean squared displacement scales as t^{2/3} and we discuss several mechanisms for this anomalous time dependence. For intermediate T, the self-intermediate scattering function is given by a compressed exponential at small wave-vectors and by a stretched exponential at large wave-vectors. In contrast, for low T it is a stretched exponential for all wave-vectors. This behavior can be traced back to a subtle interplay between elastic rearrangements, fluctuations of chain-like filaments, and heterogeneity.
Kern N.
Kob Walter
Pitard Estelle
Suarez M-A.
No associations
LandOfFree
Aging Dynamics of a Fractal Model Gel does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Aging Dynamics of a Fractal Model Gel, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Aging Dynamics of a Fractal Model Gel will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-173531