Nonequilibrium sedimentation of colloids on the particle scale.
We investigate sedimentation of model hard-sphere-like colloidal dispersions confined in horizontal capillaries using laser scanning confocal microscopy, dynamical density functional theory, and Brownian dynamics computer simulations. For homogenized initial states we obtain quantitative agreement of the results from the respective approaches for the time evolution of the one-body density distribution and the osmotic pressure on the walls. We demonstrate that single-particle information can be obtained experimentally in systems that were initialized further out of equilibrium such that complex lateral patterns form.
Royall
C Patrick
CP
Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan.
Dzubiella
Joachim
J
Schmidt
Matthias
M
van Blaaderen
Alfons
A
D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D008956:Models, Chemical; D010316:Particle Size; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity
D003102:Colloids; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate