Diffusiophoresis of Active Colloids: From Synthesis to Dynamics in Complex Media

dc.contributor.advisorNatale, Giovanniantonio
dc.contributor.authorSaad, Shabab
dc.contributor.committeememberTrifkovic, Milana
dc.contributor.committeememberBenneker, Anne M.
dc.date2020-11
dc.date.accessioned2020-04-30T15:09:16Z
dc.date.available2020-04-30T15:09:16Z
dc.date.issued2020-04-28
dc.description.abstractActive particles are examples of non-equilibrium systems that have gained a lot of momentum over the past few decades due to their ability to generate enhanced diffusive motion in fluid media. This work focuses on the synthesis and dynamics of active Janus colloids from single particle (dilute concentration regime) to cluster formations (concentrated regime). Two types of active colloids are explored: a) pH-responsive calcium carbonate (CaCO3) Janus colloids that are biocompatible in nature and b) silica particles half-coated with platinum Janus microspheres that are able to self-propel in presence of hydrogen peroxide. First, a methodology to half-coat the CaCO3 particles with a silica layer via Pickering emulsion is developed. Then the self-diffusiophoretic motion of the carbonate Janus colloids at different acid concentrations is investigated in simple Newtonian media. It is found that with increasing hydrogen ion concentrations, the pH-responsive colloids experience higher mean-square displacements due to self-propulsion velocities and longer particle trajectories. Synthetic Si/Pt active colloids were dispersed in two different viscoelastic fluids (Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Polyacrylamide) of different molecular weights and concentration regimes. These two systems were chosen to probe different relaxation times from relatively short (~5ms) for PVP to large (~14.5s) for PAM but always smaller than the rotary Brownian motion time scale (~20s). Within this regime, the coupling between the self-propulsion velocity and the medium rheology is investigated. The Janus colloids are found to get physically confined by polymeric entanglements but surprisingly they are able to escape the physical cage in a time scale much shorter than the relaxation time of the polymer solution. Finally we demonstrate how the collective motion of active colloids (cluster organization) can be autonomously controlled by tuning the fluid rheology. Such studies are highly relevant for applications of self-propelling colloids in targeted drug delivery, water and soil remediation where complex environments are naturally present.en_US
dc.identifier.citationSaad, S. (2020). Diffusiophoresis of Active Colloids: From Synthesis to Dynamics in Complex Media (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/37744
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/111928
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultySchulich School of Engineeringen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectactive colloidsen_US
dc.subjectdiffusiophoresisen_US
dc.subjectviscoelasticityen_US
dc.subjectchemical synthesis and characterizationen_US
dc.subject.classificationEngineeringen_US
dc.subject.classificationEngineering--Chemicalen_US
dc.titleDiffusiophoresis of Active Colloids: From Synthesis to Dynamics in Complex Mediaen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering – Chemical & Petroleumen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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