Enhanced tunneling conductivity induced by gelation of attractive colloids

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that gelation in attractive colloids significantly boosts bulk conductivity through electron tunneling, offering a new approach for creating low-cost, high-conductivity materials.

Contribution

It combines simulations and experiments to show how colloidal gelation enhances conductivity via electron tunneling, providing a novel method for material development.

Findings

Gelation causes a dramatic increase in bulk conductivity.

Structural measurements confirm the role of inter-particle tunneling.

Potential for developing low-metal-content conductive materials.

Abstract

We show that the formation of a gel by conducting colloidal particles leads to a dramatic enhancement in bulk conductivity, due to inter-particle electron tunneling, combining predictions from molecular dynamics simulations with structural measurements in an experimental colloid system. Our results show how colloidal gelation can be used as a general route to huge enhancements of conductivity, and suggest a feasible way for developing cheap materials with novel properties and low metal content.