Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2009-04-17
Europhysics letters 84 (2008) 46002
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
6 pages
Scientific paper
10.1209/0295-5075/84/46002
Gels in soft-matter systems are an important nonergodic state of matter. We study a colloid-polymer mixture which is quenched by increasing the polymer concentration, from a fluid to a gel. Using confocal microscopy, we study both the static structure and dynamics in three dimensions (3D). Between the dynamically arrested gel and ergodic fluid comprised of isolated particles we find an intermediate 'cluster fluid' state, where the 'bonds' between the colloidal particles have a finite lifetime. The local dynamics are reminiscent of a fluid, while the local structure is almost identical to that of the gel. Simultaneous real-time local structural analysis and particle tracking in 3D at the single-particle level yields the following interesting information. Particles in the clusters move in a highly correlated manner, but, at the same time, exhibit significant dynamical heterogeneity, reflecting the enhanced mobility near the free surface. Deeper quenching eventually leads to a gel state where the 'bond' lifetime exceeds that of the experiment, although the local structure is almost identical to that of the 'cluster fluid'.
Ohtsuka Takehiro
Royall Patrick C.
Tanaka Hajime
No associations
LandOfFree
Local structure and dynamics in colloidal fluids and gels 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 Local structure and dynamics in colloidal fluids and gels, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Local structure and dynamics in colloidal fluids and gels will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-140941