Structure formation in confined colloidal rod-sphere mixtures (B04)

• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 268730352

This project aims to achieve a fundamental understanding how shape and “doping” with a second set of colloids governs phase behaviour of anisotropic colloids also under geometric confinement and external fields. It joins experimental/theoretical studies of monolayers and thin films from i) a single set of anisotropic colloids with custom-tailored shapes, and ii) binary mixtures of anisotropic and isotropic colloids. The work on arrays of anisotropic nanoparticles at the air-water interface will be continued and assembly of anisotropic colloids assisted by centrifugal fields will become a new priority. Investigations of systems with anisotropic particles (dumbbells, spherocylinders) as well as mixtures with isotropic particles by computer simulations will be continued and extended.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1214: Anisotropic Particles as Building Blocks: Tailoring Shape, Interactions and Structures
• Applicant Institution: Universität Konstanz
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Peter Nielaba; Professor Dr. Alexander Wittemann