6533b7d9fe1ef96bd126c37b
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Depletion-induced percolation in networks of nanorods.
S. JungblutTanja SchillingMark A. Millersubject
Materials sciencegenetic structuresEntropyMonte Carlo method: Physics [G04] [Physical chemical mathematical & earth Sciences]FOS: Physical sciencesGeneral Physics and AstronomyCondensed Matter - Soft Condensed MatterRodColloidSuspensionsComputer SimulationColloidsParticle SizeAnisotropyCondensed Matter - Materials ScienceModels StatisticalNanotubesCondensed matter physicsIsotropyElectric ConductivityMaterials Science (cond-mat.mtrl-sci)Percolation thresholdCondensed Matter::Soft Condensed Matter: Physique [G04] [Physique chimie mathématiques & sciences de la terre]Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)AnisotropyNanorodsense organsParticle sizeMonte Carlo Methoddescription
Above a certain density threshold, suspensions of rod-like colloidal particles form system-spanning networks. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate how the depletion forces caused by spherical particles affect these networks in isotropic suspensions of rods. Although the depletion forces are strongly anisotropic and favor alignment of the rods, the percolation threshold of the rods decreases significantly. The relative size of the effect increases with the aspect ratio of the rods. The structural changes induced in the suspension by the depletant are characterized in detail and the system is compared to an ideal fluid of freely interpenetrable rods.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-08-23 | Physical review letters |