Colloidal Analog of the Ionic Fluid: computer simulation study

Condensed Matter lunchtime seminar

Colloidal Analog of the Ionic Fluid: computer simulation study

  • Event time: 1:00pm
  • Event date: 20th June 2005
  • Speaker: José B. Caballero (University of Edinburgh)
  • Location: Room 2511,

Event details

We have studied the phase diagram of an electroneutral mixture of oppositely charged colloids using Monte Carlo simulations. The gas-liquid transition is found in the low temperature-low density region, where the correlations between positive and negative particles are very high. The critical temperature shows non-monotonic behavior as a function of the interaction range (salt concentration). An island of coexistence is thus predicted in the salt concentration-density plane. We can understand such behavior by means of the virial equation of state, which gives us important insights into the system. Finally, we present the first results from Molecular Dynamics simulations at lower temperatures for polydisperse systems. In these simulations, a shorter length scale appears causing a non-trivial picture.

About Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars

This is a weekly series of informal talks given primarily by members of the institute of condensed matter and complex systems, but is also open to members of other groups and external visitors. The aim of the series is to promote discussion and learning of various topics at a level suitable to the broad background of the group. Everyone is welcome to attend..

Find out more about Condensed Matter lunchtime seminars.