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Related Concept Videos

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
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The Colloidal State

The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...
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Polymorphism refers to the existence of a drug substance in multiple crystalline forms, known as polymorphs. Recently, this term has been expanded to include solvates (forms containing a solvent), amorphous forms (non-crystalline forms), and desolvated solvates (forms from which the solvent has been removed).
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Determination of Molar Masses of Polymers I01:24

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Polymerization produces macromolecules with a range of chain lengths due to the random nature of molecular growth processes. As chains form and terminate at different stages, a single polymer sample contains molecules of varying sizes rather than a uniform structure. This variability is described using average molar masses and distribution-related parameters, which together provide a comprehensive understanding of polymer characteristics.The distribution of molar masses plays a critical role in...
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Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures
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Confocal Imaging of Confined Quiescent and Flowing Colloid-polymer Mixtures

Published on: May 20, 2014

Polydispersity effects in colloid-polymer mixtures.

S M Liddle1, T Narayanan, W C K Poon

  • 1SUPA and School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. S.Liddle@ed.ac.uk

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|April 29, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores colloid-polymer mixtures, revealing a unique re-entrant fluid-solid coexistence and two-stepped crystallization kinetics due to polymer addition. The findings challenge previous models and highlight kinetic suppression of phase separation.

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Area of Science:

  • Colloid and Polymer Science
  • Soft Matter Physics
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Phase separation and gelation are critical phenomena in colloid-polymer mixtures.
  • Previous studies with lower colloid polydispersity (≈5%) showed polymer addition expands the fluid-solid coexistence region.
  • Understanding these behaviors is key for designing novel materials and predicting their properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally investigate phase separation and transient gelation in a specific colloid-polymer mixture (polydispersity ≈6%, polymer-to-colloid size ratio ≈0.062).
  • To compare findings with previous studies and elucidate the effect of increased colloid polydispersity.
  • To analyze the observed fluid-solid coexistence, crystallization kinetics, and potential phase separation pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental study of a mixture of polydisperse colloids and non-adsorbing polymers.
  • Characterization of phase behavior, including fluid-solid coexistence.
  • Analysis of crystallization kinetics and comparison with equilibrium predictions.

Main Results:

  • The addition of polymers did not expand the fluid-solid coexistence region, contrary to previous findings.
  • An unexpected re-entrant shape was observed in the fluid-solid coexistence region with approximately constant width.
  • A metastable gas-liquid binodal was detected, leading to two-stepped crystallization kinetics attributed to fractionation.
  • Kinetic suppression of multi-phase solid separation was observed before dynamical arrest at high colloid volume fractions.

Conclusions:

  • Increased colloid polydispersity significantly alters phase behavior in colloid-polymer mixtures.
  • The observed re-entrant coexistence and fractionation-induced kinetics provide new insights into soft matter phase transitions.
  • Kinetic effects play a crucial role in suppressing equilibrium predictions of phase separation in these systems.