To promote network connectivity in colloidal rod suspensions, end with a tip

Gavin Melaugh*, Samuel G.V. Charlton, Bonnie Mccallion, Davide Marenduzzo, Cait E. Macphee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Colloidal gels formed from patchy rods provide a promising platform to design novel functional materials and formulations. Yet, the case for localized interactions at the rod tips remains relatively unexplored. Here we probe the structure and dynamics of such systems by means of coarse-grained computer simulations, and show that the emerging tipped gel networks are fundamentally different to uniform ones. Structurally, tipped networks are better connected, and, unlike in the uniform gels, the connectivity increases with the length of the constituent rods. The dynamics are also fundamentally different, with the gelation time in the tipped networks (contrary to the uniform gels) exhibiting an inverse relationship with rod length.

Original languageEnglish
Article number045419
Pages (from-to)1-11
Number of pages11
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume111
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Apr 2025

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'To promote network connectivity in colloidal rod suspensions, end with a tip'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this