Colloidal particle gel models using many-body potential interactions.

Abstract

Many-body effective interactions are commonly used in a molecular dynamics simulation study of gel networks formed by colloidal particles. Here we report an interaction potential that can be used to investigate the mechanical response of colloidal gel networks under shear deformation. We then investigate the dependence of the numerical simulation results on the form of mathematical expression used to define the interparticle interactions. This work reveals insight into particle gel models by discussing the physical origins of their mechanical response.