Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun.
2010, 75, 349-358
https://doi.org/10.1135/cccc2009109
Published online 2010-03-22 10:32:53
Primitive models of patchy colloidal particles. A review
Francesco Sciortino
Dipartimento di Fisica and INFM-CNR-SOFT, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
Abstract
In this article I will review some recent studies of the phase behavior and of the self-assembly of patchy colloidal particles. These studies have been based on simple primitive models for colloid–colloid interactions, effectively extending to soft matter the seminal work of I. Nezbeda on associated fluids. I will discuss the possibilities offered by the study of the self-assembly of particles with limited valence in deepening our understanding of the onset of the liquid state, of the differences between gels and glasses and of the possible connection between physical and chemical gels. A review with 55 references.
Keywords: Colloids; Self-assembly; Gelation; Aggregation; Empty liquids; Wertheim theory; Flory–Stockmayer theory.
References: 57 live references.
