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External field-driven property localization in liquids of responsive macromolecules
Arturo Moncho-Jordá1,2, Sebastien Groh3, Joachim Dzubiella3,4
1Department of Applied Physics, University de Granada, Campus Fuentenueva S/N, 18071 Granada, Spain.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|January 8, 2024
Summary
External potentials control macromolecule size distribution in responsive liquids. This particle responsiveness allows for precise localization of properties, enabling tailored functions in applications like biomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Colloid Science
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- Responsive macromolecules can switch between states (e.g., big-to-small) in response to external stimuli.
- Understanding the spatial distribution of these properties is crucial for controlling their behavior.
- External potentials significantly influence particle behavior in confined systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically investigate how external potentials affect the spatial distribution of particle properties in responsive macromolecule liquids.
- To model particle size as a key internal degree of freedom responding to external forces.
- To explore the potential for controlling macromolecule function through property localization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mean-field density functional theory (DFT) for a one-component model of responsive colloids.
- Employed a Gaussian pair potential to describe inter-particle interactions.
- Validated DFT predictions with Brownian dynamics simulations.
Main Results:
- Observed significant localization of the 'big' particle state near hard walls.
- Demonstrated that various external potentials (gravitational, osmotic, Hamaker) enhance particle size segregation.
- Showed that the degree of responsiveness and coupling to potentials tune the size distribution.
Conclusions:
- Particle responsiveness is a key factor in localizing liquid properties within specific spatial regions.
- External potentials can be used to precisely control the size-dependent distribution of macromolecules.
- This control over property and position-dependent function has implications for advanced applications, including biomedicine.
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