Study of the aggregation behavior of Janus particles by coupling experiments and Brownian dynamics simulations
Khaoula Lebdioua1, Manuella Cerbelaud1, Anne Aimable1
1Univ. Limoges, CNRS, IRCER, UMR 7315, F-87000 Limoges, France.
Hypothesis:
New colloids such as inverse patchy particles or Janus particles are considered as smart building blocks in the development of innovative and performant materials. For example, the control of the self-assembly of oxide-based charged Janus particles is interesting for ceramic shaping. Thus, the synthesis of silica based Janus particles as well as a detailed study of their behavior in suspension are presented in this paper.
Experiments:
Fluorescent silica particles are partially modified in surface by grafting amine groups using a Pickering emulsion route. Zeta potential measurements, sedimentation tests and confocal microscopy observations are carried out to analyze the aggregation of the obtained particles in aqueous suspension as a function of the patch size and of the pH. Brownian dynamics simulations are also performed to better understand the aggregate structures.
Findings:
The aggregation of the synthesized silica-based Janus particles can be tuned by modifying the experimental parameters, and elongated or on the contrary more compact structures could be observed. This control of aggregation makes such particles promising to build new ceramic materials.
Related Concept Videos
Basic Postulates of Kinetic Molecular Theory: Particle Size, Energy, and Collision
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
First Law: Particles in Two-dimensional Equilibrium
Newton's first law tells us about...
First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium
Colloidal precipitates


