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Abstract
When a colloid is mixed with a depletant such as a non-adsorbing polymer, one observes attractive effective interactions between the colloidal particles. If these particles are anisotropic, analysis of these effective interactions is challenging in general. We present a method for inference of approximate (coarse-grained) effective interaction potentials between such anisotropic particles. Using the example of indented (lock-and-key) colloids, we show how numerical solutions can be used to integrate out the (hard sphere) depletant, leading to a depletion potential that accurately characterises the effective interactions. The accuracy of the method is based on matching of contributions to the second virial coefficient of the colloids. The simplest version of our method yields a piecewise-constant effective potential; we also show how this scheme can be generalised to other functional forms, where appropriate.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 084907 |
Journal | Journal of Chemical Physics |
Volume | 145 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 29 Aug 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2016 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Coarse-grained depletion potentials for anisotropic colloids: application to lock-and-key systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Lock and Key colloids: Controlling Self Assembly via Depletion Forces
Wilding, N. (PI) & Jack, R. (CoI)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
1/05/12 → 30/04/15
Project: Research council