Depletion-Induced Encapsulation by Dumbbell-Shaped Patchy Colloids Stabilize Microspheres against Aggregation.

ABSTRACT: In this paper, we demonstrate the stabilization of polystyrene microspheres by encapsulating them with dumbbell-shaped colloids with a sticky and a nonsticky lobe. Upon adding a depletant, an effective short ranged attraction is induced between the microspheres and the smaller, smooth lobes of the dumbbells, making those specifically sticky, whereas the interaction with the larger lobes of the dumbbells is considerably less attractive due to their rough surface, which reduces the overlap volume and leaves them nonsticky. The encapsulation of the microspheres by these rough-smooth patchy dumbbells is investigated using a combination of experiments and computer simulations, both resulting in partial coverage of the template particles. For larger microspheres, the depletion attraction is stro

SUBMITTER: Wolters JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5388905 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature