(455f) Structure and Properties of Sticky Colloids in Confined Systems

Recently, experimental methods have been developed to synthesize sticky colloidal particles which have sticky/patchy sites on their surface through which they form directional bonds[1]. Interest in these systems is due to the fact that specific target structures can be formed by controlling the intermolecular potential[2]. Research has focused on understanding the phase diagram and the different parameters affecting the phase behavior of the system[3].

Although the bulk properties of sticky colloids are fairly well understood, little is known about the structure of sticky colloids and mixtures in confined systems. Here we study the thermodynamics and structure of sticky colloids in bulk and confined systems using Wertheim’s thermodynamic perturbation theory[4] in a density functional theory formalism[5]. The effect of number of sticky sites, temperature and concentration on the structure including the potential of mean force is analyzed.

References

1.            Bianchi, E., R. Blaak, and C.N. Likos, 2011. 13(14): p. 6397-6410.

2.            Glotzer, S.C. and M.J. Solomon, Nat Mater, 2007. 6(7): p. 557-562.

3.            Sciortino, F., European Physical Journal B -- Condensed Matter, 2008. 64(3/4): p. 505-509.

4.            Wertheim, M.S., J. Stat. Phys., 1986. 42(3): p. 459.

5.            Segura, C.J., W.G. Chapman, and K.S. Shukla, Mol. Phys., 1997. 90: p. 759.