Microrheological model for Kelvin-Voigt materials with micro-heterogeneities.

Azevedo, T N; Oliveira, K M; Maia, H P; Teixeira, A V N C; Rizzi, L G · Soft Matter · 2025

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

We introduce a generalization of the Kelvin-Voigt model in order to include and characterize heterogeneities in viscoelastic semisolid materials. By considering a microrheological approach, we present analytical expressions for the mean square displacement and for the time-dependent diffusion coefficient of probe particles immersed in a viscoelastic material described by this model. Besides validating our theoretical approach through Brownian dynamics simulations, we show how the model can be used to describe experimental data obtained for polyacrylamide and LAPONITE® gels.