Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Cell Co-culture Patterning Using Aqueous Two-phase Systems
Published on: March 26, 2013
Influence of polymer-excluded volume on the phase-behavior of colloid-polymer mixtures
P G Bolhuis1, A A Louis, J-P Hansen
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
We determine the depletion-induced phase-behavior of hard-sphere colloids and interacting polymers by large-scale Monte Carlo simulations using very accurate coarse-graining techniques. A comparison with standard Asakura-Oosawa model theories and simulations shows that including excluded-volume interactions between polymers leads to qualitative differences in the phase diagrams. These effects become increasingly important for larger relative polymer size. Our simulation results agree quantitatively with recent experiments.
Related Concept Videos
Colloids
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution
Colloids and Suspensions
Osmotic Pressure
The Colloidal State
Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers II

