Structural and dynamical properties of dilute gel networks in colloid–polymer mixtures

The competition of depletion attractions and longer-ranged repulsions between colloidal particles in colloid-polymer mixtures leads to the formation heterogeneous gel-like structures. For instance, gel networks, i.e., states where colloids arrange thin strands that span whole system occur at low packing fractions for are stronger than those binodal line equilibrium liquid-fluid phase separation. By using Brownian dynamics simulations we explore formation, structure, ageing networks. We determine reduced network focus on essential connections a network. compare observed properties bulky gels or cluster fluids. Our results demonstrate both structure as well (often slow) stable meta-stable heterogenous possess distinct features various length time scales thus richly divers.