Multiscale probing of colloidal gelation dynamics

Colloidal gels are viscoelastic materials characterized by the collective behavior of particles that form a space-spanning network. Although the network structure embodies the aggregation process of the particles, the kinetic pathway from a stable suspension to such a complex microstructure remains poorly understood. In this work, we explore the evolution of microscopic structure and dynamics of home-made colloidal particles in the early phase of gelation, by extending the applicability of Differential Dynamic Microscopy (DDM) to non-ergodic media. We demonstrate uncoupled development of the structure and dynamics that reveals an intermediate stage of gel formation, and compare the DDM results with the rheological features of evolving gels. We finally show how understanding the gelation at multiple length and time scales via DDM and rheology opens new ways to tune the mechanical properties of colloidal gels that bear inherent versatility.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Cho, Jae Hyung(Scientist in mechanical engineering) Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Irmgard Bischofberger.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/118743

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/118743