Dynamic clustering and re-dispersion in concentrated colloid-active gel composites

TL;DR

This paper investigates how activity in active gels influences colloid dynamics, revealing activity-induced clustering and re-dispersion, which could enable novel self-assembled soft materials.

Contribution

It demonstrates that activity can induce clustering or re-dispersion of colloids in active gels, depending on anchoring conditions, offering new insights into colloid-active gel interactions.

Findings

Activity induces clustering of colloids without anchoring.

Anchoring leads to competition between active stresses and elastic forces.

Re-dispersion of colloids occurs in active fluids, enabling new material design.

Abstract

We study the dynamics of quasi-two-dimensional concentrated suspensions of colloidal particles in active gels by computer simulations. Remarkably, we find that activity induces a dynamic clustering of colloids even in the absence of any preferential anchoring of the active nematic director at the particle surface. When such an anchoring is present, active stresses instead compete with elastic forces and re-disperse the aggregates observed in passive colloid-liquid crystal composites. Our quasi-two-dimensional "inverse" dispersions of passive particles in active fluids (as opposed to the more common "direct" suspensions of active particles in passive fluids) provide a promising route towards the self-assembly of new soft materials.