Comparative simulation study of colloidal gels and glasses
Condensed Matter
2009-11-07 v1
Abstract
Using computer simulations, we identify the mechanisms causing aggregation and structural arrest of colloidal suspensions interacting with a short-ranged attraction at moderate and high densities. Two different non-ergodicity transitions are observed. As the density is increased, a glass transition takes place, driven by excluded volume effects. In contrast, at moderate densities, gelation is approached as the strength of the attraction increases. At high density and interaction strength, both transitions merge, and a logarithmic decay in the correlation function is observed. All of these features are correctly predicted by mode coupling theory.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0109373,
title = {Comparative simulation study of colloidal gels and glasses},
author = {Antonio M. Puertas and Matthias Fuchs and Michael E. Cates},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0109373},
year = {2009}
}