Network formation and relaxation dynamics in a new model for colloidal gelation
Abstract
Description
We investigate the gel formation from the equilibrium sol phase in a simple model that has the characteristics of (colloidal) gel-forming systems at a finite temperature. At low volume fraction and low temperatures, particles are linked by long-living bonds and form an open percolating network. By means of molecular dynamics simulations, we study the lifetime of bonds and nodes of the gel network in order to relate these quantities to the complex relaxation dynamics observed.
in press, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. (2007), Proceedings of the International Workshop on Mesoscale and Multiscale description of Complex Fluids 2006
in press, J. Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. (2007), Proceedings of the International Workshop on Mesoscale and Multiscale description of Complex Fluids 2006