Colloid-polymer mixtures
Colloid and polymer mixtures exhibit a very complex phase behavior spanning multiple length scales. Our goal is to understand and utilize co-/self-organization of surfactants, colloids, and polymers and to predict the phase stability of colloid-polymer mixtures, colloidal dispersions, and polymeric systems. Combining theory and experimentation we utilize polymeric and colloidal building blocks including but not limited to polymer latexes, graphene nanoplatelets, silica nanoparticles to design colloid-polymer systems with predesigned assembly behavior. We expand on the current understanding of idealized systems towards more complex mixtures where charges are present, polymers are more realistic, polydispersity effects are considered, and soft interactions occur towards technological relevant systems. These fundamental insights are important to realize sustainable solutions for applications in coatings, paints, functional inks for printed electronics, heat storage materials, medicines (separation, encapsulation, release) or food products.
Colloid–polymer mixtures exhibit a very interesting phase behaviour. Mixtures form gels, show gas–liquid coexistence, or display colloidal (liquid) crystalline phases because of depletion effects. In some cases even three or four-phases coexist simultaneously. In model studies where this phase behaviour has been studied, rather idealised systems are considered. We plan to extend current understanding towards more complex mixtures where charges are present, polymers are more realistic, polydispersity effects are taken into account, and soft interactions occur, as to better understand current and future applications.