Interfaces and crystallization in Colloid-Polymer suspensions

Abstract

The central theme of this thesis is the phase behavior of mixed colloid-polymer suspensions. The addition of nonadsorbing polymers to a colloidal suspension gives rise to an effective attraction between the colloids, the so-called depletion interaction. As a result of this interaction phase separation into colloid-rich and colloid-poor phases occurs. The size ratio between the polymers and the colloids determines the type of transition. In this thesis the properties of the interface between coexisting colloidal-liquid and colloidal-gas phases are studied, and the fluid-crystal phase transition occurring at a wall, in a sediment and in the bulk are studied.