Linking Particle Dynamics to Local Connectivity in Colloidal Gels

Jan Maarten Van Doorn, Jochem Bronkhorst, Ruben Higler, Ties Van De Laar, Joris Sprakel*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Colloidal gels are a prototypical example of a heterogeneous network solid whose complex properties are governed by thermally activated dynamics. In this Letter we experimentally establish the connection between the intermittent dynamics of individual particles and their local connectivity. We interpret our experiments with a model that describes single-particle dynamics based on highly cooperative thermal debonding. The model, in quantitative agreement with experiments, provides a microscopic picture for the structural origin of dynamical heterogeneity in colloidal gels and sheds new light on the link between structure and the complex mechanics of these heterogeneous solids.
Original languageEnglish
Article number188001
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume118
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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