Tuning the demixing of colloid-polymer systems through the dispersing solvent.

Journal article

Abstract:: We report measurements on fluid-fluid phase separation in a colloid-polymer mixture by means of confocal scanning laser microscopy and we show that we can access the various coarsening regimes by tuning the properties of the solvent. By increasing the viscosity of the solvent we are able to access the diffusive hydrodynamic regime of spinodal decomposition. By matching the density of the solvent and colloids we are able to grow structures to large length scales before they are destroyed by buoyancy forces. Tuning the solvent's density furthermore gives control over which phase flows up and down, illustrating the flexibility of this particular system.

Journal:: Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal More from this journal
Volume:: 23
Issue:: 19
Pages:: 194115
Publication date:: 2011-05-01
DOI:: 10.1088/0953-8984/23/19/194115
EISSN:: 1361-648X
ISSN:: 0953-8984

Language:: English
Keywords:: Hydrodynamics

Solvents

Colloids

Scattering, Radiation

Models, Chemical

Polymers

Light

Viscosity

Microscopy, Confocal
Pubs id:: pubs:138966
UUID:: uuid:046497f6-0c03-49e9-9374-a57185b0cda4
Local pid:: pubs:138966
Source identifiers:: 138966
Deposit date:: 2012-12-19
ARK identifier:: ark:/29072/ora_046497f60c0349e99374a57185b0cda4

Licence:: Terms and Conditions of Use for Oxford University Research Archive

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