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Colloidal Jamming at Interfaces: a Route to Fluid-bicontinuous Gels

K. Stratford·R. Adhikari·I. Pagonabarraga·J. -C. Desplat·M. E. Cates
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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 in three dimensions. The resulting gel contains percolating domains of both fluids, with possible uses as, for example, a microreaction medium.

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K. Stratford, R. Adhikari, I. Pagonabarraga, J. -C. Desplat, M. E. Cates. 2005-10-03. Colloidal Jamming at Interfaces: a Route to Fluid-bicontinuous Gels. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1116589

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