Shape, temperature and density interplay in depletion forces

TL;DR

This study investigates how particle shape, temperature, and density influence depletion forces in mixtures of soft repulsive particles, revealing conditions where shape effects are distinguishable or similar, and proposing new models for further research.

Contribution

The paper introduces a combined numerical and analytical approach to analyze the impact of particle morphology on depletion forces across various thermodynamic conditions.

Findings

Depletion forces depend on shape, temperature, and density.

Distinct shapes show different depletion potentials under certain conditions.

Proposed new computational models for studying morphology effects.

Abstract

Via numerical simulations and analytical calculations, depletion forces are studied in mixtures of small and big particles that interact via soft repulsive potentials. While big particles are spherical, small particles are nonspherical with shapes that vary gradually, from squares to rods via intermediate shapes. The mixtures are studied for a wide range of densities and temperature. Depletion forces and their resulting potentials depend on the interplay of shape, temperature and density, an argument that is elaborated qualitatively and quantitatively. While in some thermodynamic conditions, depletion potentials of distinct shapes are distinguishable, in different conditions, they are very similar. Finally, I propose novel computational models and experiments for further investigation of the effect of morphology on phase separation in and out of thermal equilibrium.