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Combining Microfluidics and Microrheology to Determine Rheological Properties of Soft Matter during Repeated Phase Transitions
Published on: April 19, 2018
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Dynamic phase diagram of soft nanocolloids
Sudipta Gupta1, Manuel Camargo, Jörg Stellbrink
1JCNS-1 and ICS-1, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leo-Brandt-Straße, 52425 Jülich, Germany. s.gupta@fz-juelich.de j.stellbrink@fz-juelich.de.
Nanoscale
|July 30, 2015
Summary
We developed a tunable block copolymer model to study soft colloids across multiple scales. Our findings reveal a universal relationship between structure, dynamics, and viscosity, independent of particle softness.
Area of Science:
- Soft matter physics
- Colloid science
- Polymer chemistry
Background:
- Understanding structure-property relationships and equilibrium dynamics in soft colloids is crucial.
- Existing models often lack a generalized view across different length and time scales.
- Tunable model systems are needed to systematically investigate the impact of softness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a generalized view of structure-property relationships and equilibrium dynamics in soft colloids.
- To introduce and validate a new, tunable block copolymer model system for soft colloids.
- To quantitatively compare experimental results with theoretical predictions without adjustable parameters.
Main Methods:
- Development of a tunable block copolymer model system with variable aggregation number and softness.
- Utilizing a coarse-grained model for colloidal interaction potential, focusing on interaction length (σint).
- Conducting experimental and theoretical studies across micro-, meso-, and macroscopic scales.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation between mesoscopic diffusion and macroscopic viscosity was observed across all concentrations, collapsing onto master curves defined by σint.
- A dynamic phase diagram for soft colloids was established, covering regimes from star-like to hard-sphere-like particles.
- Reentrant glass transition behavior was observed at high aggregation numbers, approaching hard-sphere predictions.
Conclusions:
- Block copolymer micelles serve as a versatile platform for realizing soft colloids.
- A coarse-grained approach is generally valid for describing the structure and dynamics of soft colloids.
- The interaction length (σint) is a key parameter governing the properties of soft colloids.
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