Short-time dynamics in dispersions with competing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion

Short-time dynamics in dispersions with competing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion

The dynamic clustering of globular particles in suspensions exhibiting competing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion such as in protein solutions has gained a lot of interest over the past years. We investigate theoretically the influence of clustering on the dynamics of globular particle dispersions [1]. To this end, we systematically explore various pair potential models by a combination of state-of-the-art analytic methods in conjunction with computer simulations where the solvent-mediated hydrodynamic interactions are likewise included. Our theoretical results show that the cluster peak (intermediate-range-order peak) is present also in the hydrodynamic function characterizing the short-time dynamics, in accord with experimental data [2]. Enhanced short-range attraction leads to a smaller self-diffusion coefficient and a larger dispersion viscosity. The behavior of the (generalized) sedimentation coefficient is more intricate, e.g. showing non-monotonic interaction strength dependence.

[1] J. Riest and G. Nägele, Short-time dynamics in dispersions with competing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion, Soft Matter 11, 9273 (2015).

[2] Collaboration with D. Godfrin (MIT), Y. Liu (NIST) and N. Wagner (UDEL), work in progress.

Event Details

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  • Date: 
    Friday, March 11, 2016 - 11:00am to 12:00pm

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Alberto Fernandez-Nieves