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Quantitative and Qualitative Examination of Particle-particle Interactions Using Colloidal Probe Nanoscopy
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Competing chemical and hydrodynamic interactions in autophoretic colloidal suspensions
Rajesh Singh1, R Adhikari1, M E Cates1
1DAMTP, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|August 3, 2019
Summary
Autophoretic colloids exhibit slip velocities driven by chemical gradients. These interactions lead to tunable forces, enabling control over phase separation in colloidal systems.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Interface Science
- Chemical Physics
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Autophoretic colloids generate slip velocities due to surface chemical gradients.
- These gradients are complex functions of particle arrangement and activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To deduce chemohydrodynamic forces and torques between autophoretic colloids.
- To investigate the influence of particle activity on inter-colloid interactions and phase behavior.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of slip-induced hydrodynamic interactions under rapid chemical diffusion.
- Derivation of forces as gradients of a nonequilibrium potential for particles near a no-slip wall.
Main Results:
- Tunable inter-colloid forces (repulsive to attractive) achieved by modifying particle activity.
- Observation of arrested phase separation when the nonequilibrium potential exhibits a barrier.
- Mean cluster size determined by the interplay of chemical and hydrodynamic interactions.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a framework for understanding and controlling colloidal self-assembly via autophoretic interactions.
- Monopolar and dipolar surface fluxes are key regulators of colloidal behavior and emergent structures.
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