Colloid aggregation simulation in a Poiseuille flow using SRD-MD simulations

The use of flowing colloidal suspensions in confined environments is of great relevance in many scientific fields, from microfluidics to ceramic manufacturing processes. Despite efforts to understand the structuring of colloids under flows, structuring of attractive colloids in a non-uniform flow remains less studied. In this article, Stochastic Rotation Dynamics - Molecular Dynamics (SRD-MD) simulations are used to study the aggregation of particles subjected to Poiseuille flow between two plates. Simulations show that the Poiseuille flow strongly influences colloid aggregation. They reveal that, depending on the potential wells depth used, the same flow can either lead to the fragmentation of aggregates or to the formation of compact and ordered aggregates. The aggregation and reorganization dynamics of these aggregates are explained by the velocity gradient and hydrodynamic effects.