ABSTRACT
We study the transport phenomena of colloidal particles embedded within a moving array of obstacles that mimics a dynamic, time-varying porous material. While colloidal transport in an array of stationary obstacles ("passive" porous media) has been well studied, we lack the fundamental understanding of colloidal diffusion in a nonequilibrium porous environment. We combine Taylor dispersion theory, Brownian dynamics simulations, and optical tweezer experiments to study the transport of tracer colloidal particles in an oscillating lattice of obstacles. We discover that the dispersion of tracer particles is a non-monotonic function of oscillation frequency and exhibits a maximum that exceeds the Stokes-Einstein-Sutherland diffusivity in the absence of obstacles. By solving the Smoluchowski equation using a generalized dispersion framework, we demonstrate that the enhanced transport of the tracers depends critically on both the direct interparticle interactions with the obstacles and the fluid-mediated, hydrodynamic interactions generated by the moving obstacles.
ABSTRACT
Understanding pairwise interactions between colloidal particles out of equilibrium has a profound impact on dynamical processes such as colloidal self assembly. However, traditional colloidal interactions are effectively quasi-static on colloidal timescales and cannot be modulated out of equilibrium. A mechanism to dynamically tune the interactions during colloidal contacts can provide new avenues for self assembly and material design. In this work, we develop a framework based on polymer-coated colloids and demonstrate that in-plane surface mobility and mechanical relaxation of polymers at colloidal contact interfaces enable an effective, dynamic interaction. Combining analytical theory, simulations, and optical tweezer experiments, we demonstrate precise control of dynamic pair interactions over a range of pico-Newton forces and seconds timescales. Our model helps further the general understanding of out-of-equilibrium colloidal assemblies while providing extensive design freedom via interface modulation and nonequilibrium processing.
