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Title: Brownian dynamics of sterically-stabilized colloidal suspensions

Journal Article · · AIChE Journal (American Institute of Chemical Engineers); (United States)
; ;  [1]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States). Center for Advanced Materials Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering

One application where microstructure plays a critical role is in the production of specialty ceramics, where colloidal suspensions act as precursors; here the microstructure influences the structural, thermal, optical and electrical properties of the ceramic products. Using Brownian dynamics, equilibrium and dynamic properties are calculated for colloidal suspensions that are stabilized through the Milner, Witten and Cates (1988) steric potential. Results are reported for osmotic pressures, radial distributions functions, static structure factors, and self-diffusion coefficients. The sterically-stabilized systems are also approximated by equivalent hard spheres, with good agreement for osmotic pressure and long-range structure. The suitability of the potential to model the behavior of a real system is explored by comparing static structure factors calculated from Brownian dynamics simulations to those measured using SANS. Finally, the effects of Hamaker and hydrodynamic forces on calculated properties are investigated.

DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
7045378
Journal Information:
AIChE Journal (American Institute of Chemical Engineers); (United States), Vol. 40:2; ISSN 0001-1541
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English