Single-particle and collective slow dynamics of colloids in porous confinement

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations and mode-coupling theory to analyze the slow, glassy dynamics of colloids confined in porous media, revealing complex single-particle and collective behaviors.

Contribution

It extends mode-coupling theory to account for porous confinement, size disparity, and interaction softness in colloidal systems, providing new insights into glass transition phenomena.

Findings

Identification of discontinuous and continuous glass transitions.

Analysis of the interplay between single-particle and collective dynamics.

Assessment of universality in mode-coupling predictions across models.

Abstract

Using molecular dynamics simulations we study the slow dynamics of a hard sphere fluid confined in a disordered porous matrix. The presence of both discontinuous and continuous glass transitions as well as the complex interplay between single-particle and collective dynamics are well captured by a recent extension of mode-coupling theory for fluids in porous media. The degree of universality of the mode-coupling theory predictions for related models of colloids is studied by introducing size-disparity between fluid and matrix particles, as well as softness in the interactions.