Phase behavior of active swimmers in depletants: molecular dynamics and integral equation theory

Phys Rev Lett. 2014 May 16;112(19):198301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.198301. Epub 2014 May 15.

Abstract

We study the structure and phase behavior of a binary mixture where one of the components is self-propelling in nature. The interparticle interactions in the system are taken from the Asakura-Oosawa model for colloid-polymer mixtures for which the phase diagram is known. In the current model version, the colloid particles are made active using the Vicsek model for self-propelling particles. The resultant active system is studied by molecular dynamics methods and integral equation theory. Both methods produce results consistent with each other and demonstrate that the Vicsek model-based activity facilitates phase separation, thus, broadening the coexistence region.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colloids
  • Diffusion
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation*
  • Movement
  • Polymers

Substances

  • Colloids
  • Polymers