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Linking Catalyst-Coated Isotropic Colloids into "active" Flexible Chains Enhances Their Diffusivity
Published in American Chemical Society
2017
PMID: 28898046
Volume: 11
   
Issue: 10
Pages: 10025 - 10031
Abstract
Active colloids are not constrained by equilibrium: ballistic propulsion, superdiffusive behavior, or enhanced diffusivities have been reported for active Janus particles. At high concentrations, interactions between active colloids give rise to complex emergent behavior. Their collective dynamics result in the formation of several hundred particle-strong flocks or swarms. Here, we demonstrate significant diffusivity enhancement for colloidal objects that neither have a Janus architecture nor are at high concentrations. We employ uniformly catalyst-coated, viz. chemo-mechanically, isotropic colloids and link them into a chain to enforce proximity. Activity arises from hydrodynamic interactions between enchained colloidal beads due to reaction-induced phoretic flows catalyzed by platinum nanoparticles on the colloid surface. This results in diffusivity enhancements of up to 60% for individual chains in dilute solution. Chains with increasing flexibility exhibit higher diffusivities. Simulations accounting for hydrodynamic interactions between enchained colloids due to active phoretic flows accurately capture the experimental diffusivity. These simulations reveal that the enhancement in diffusivity can be attributed to the interplay between chain conformational fluctuations and activity. Our results show that activity can be used to systematically modulate the mobility of soft slender bodies. © 2017 American Chemical Society.
About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetACS Nano
PublisherData powered by TypesetAmerican Chemical Society
ISSN19360851
Open AccessNo
Concepts (15)
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    Brownian movement
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    CATALYSTS
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    Chains
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    Colloids
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    FLUID DYNAMICS
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    Hydrodynamics
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    Active matter
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    Colloidal assembly
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    CONFORMATIONAL FLUCTUATIONS
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    DIFFUSIVITY ENHANCEMENT
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    EXPERIMENTAL DIFFUSIVITY
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    Hydrodynamic interaction
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    ICE TEMPLATING
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    Platinum nano-particles
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    Diffusion