title: Depletion-induced percolation in networks of nanorods.
abstract: Above a certain density threshold, suspensions of rodlike colloidal particles form system-spanning networks. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate how the depletion forces caused by spherical particles affect these networks in isotropic suspensions of rods. Although the depletion forces are strongly anisotropic and favor alignment of the rods, the percolation threshold of the rods decreases significantly. The relative size of the effect increases with the aspect ratio of the rods. The structural changes induced in the suspension by the depletant are characterized in detail and the system is compared to an ideal fluid of freely interpenetrable rods.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, D-55099 Mainz, Staudinger Weg 7, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jungblut
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D016880:Anisotropy; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D019277:Entropy; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D043942:Nanotubes; D010316:Particle Size; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D013535:Suspensions