Colloidal Jamming at Interfaces: A Route to Fluid-Bicontinuous Gels

Abstract

Colloidal particles or nanoparticles, with equal affinity for two fluids, are known to adsorb irreversibly to the fluid-fluid interface. We present large-scale computer simulations of the demixing of a binary solvent containing such particles. The newly formed interface sequesters the colloidal particles; as the interface coarsens, the particles are forced into close contact by interfacial tension. Coarsening is dramatically curtailed, and the jammed colloidal layer seemingly enters a glassy state, creating a multiply connected, solid-like film 1

Multiphase lattice Boltzmann simulations for porous media applications

“…The method has been applied to suspensions of spherical and non-spherical particles by various authors [160][161][162]. Recently, it has been extended to particle suspensions involving multiple fluid components [163][164][165][166].…”

“…It is based on the free-energy model [182]. Recently, algorithms for interacting colloidal particles, following the method given in Section 3.6, have been added [165]. Similar in functionality, but based on the ternary Shan-Chen multicomponent model is lb3d, which was developed at University College London, University of Stuttgart and Eindhoven University of Technology.…”

Observation and Modeling of Interrupted Pattern Coarsening: Surface Nanostructuring by Ion Erosion

“…They encompass from emergence of well defined, ordered patterns [1] to scale invariant, disordered behavior (kinetic roughening) [2], large-scale properties being often independent of specific details of the preparation techniques and of the materials employed (universality). A third conspicuous realm of universality is that of coarsening phenomena [3], whereby the characteristic feature size of a pattern ' evolves nontrivially with time t. Coarsening occurs in very diverse systems, from colloids [4] to social dynamics [5], to ionbeam erosion of solid targets [6,7]. Actually, an open question in pattern formation at large concerns identifying general criteria [8] to predict the type of evolution of ' [9], ranging from remaining a constant, to power-law behavior, interrupted coarsening (IC), or spatiotemporal chaos.…”

“…For the above experimental data corresponding to È 1 , we take t l ' 6:25 min , ' l ' 35 nm, l f ' 50 nm, and A f ' 4 nm, leading to ¼ 10 nm 2 = min , K ¼ 156 nm 4 = min , 1 ¼ 3 nm= min , and 2 ¼ 236 nm 3 = min . Using these coefficient values, we have integrated Eq.…”

Directing colloidal assembly at fluid interfaces

“…Pickering focused on the use of particles as efficient stabilizers for dispersing one immiscible fluid into another, an application that has reemerged as it becomes desirable to identify more environmentally benign emulsifiers than commonly used smallmolecule or polymeric surfactants. A recent surge of interest has led to a range of other applications as well, such as particle capsules (9), anisotropic droplets (10), and bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (or "bijels") (11,12). The interpenetrating fluid networks of bijels may be useful as fluid microreactors, bulk heterojunction photovoltaics, or precursors to structured materials like catalyst supports.…”