Simulation of the suspension structure for the improve of colloidal processes

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Colloidal processes are used in many fields of applications to produce multi-material components with specific microstructures. Here, controlling the structure of colloidal suspensions is crucial in order to reliably adapt the suspension rheology to the process and to get the desired microstructure in the final part. We propose to show that numerical simulations, which take into account the discrete nature of the colloidal components, may be of help in this goal. Indeed, we develop and use simulation codes that can be employed to control the suspension stability and the suspension structure: particle ordering (formation of colloidal crystals), compactness of the aggregate network, percolation properties, etc. We will first explain how a colloidal suspension can be modeled and then illustrate the topic with the specific case of a model alumina-silica system, in which simulation results will be compared to experimental characterizations. We will show that the simulations can well describe the experimental structures of suspensions [1-3]. Finally, we will present how this kind of computational study can be applied to the complex suspensions of composite electrodes for Li-ion batteries. [1]M. Cerbelaud et al., Langmuir 2008,24,3001 [2]M. Piechowiak et al., Langmuir 2010,26,12540 [3]M. Cerbelaud et al., Soft Matter 2010,6,370

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Biotech, Biomaterials and Biomedical: TechConnect Briefs 2015
Published: June 14, 2015
Pages: 312 - 315
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
Topic: Personal & Home Care, Food & Agriculture
ISBN: 978-1-4987-4729-5