Diffusion, phase behavior, and gelation in a two-dimensional layer of colloids in osmotic equilibrium with a polymer reservoir

The addition of enough non-adsorbing polymers to an otherwise stable colloidal suspension gives rise a variety phase behaviors and kinetic arrest due the depletion attraction induced between colloids by polymers. We report study these phenomena in two-dimensional layer colloids. three-dimensional phenomenology crystal–fluid coexistence is reproduced, but gelation takes novel form, which strands gel structure are locally crystalline. compare our findings with previous simulation theory find substantial agreement.