EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M05324/01 |
Title: |
INTERACTING ELECTRIC DOUBLE-LAYERS IN LAMELLAR POLYELECTROLYTES |
Principal Investigator: |
Hansen, Professor JP |
Other Investigators: |
|
Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
Project Partners: |
|
Department: |
Chemistry |
Organisation: |
University of Cambridge |
Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
Starts: |
01 January 1999 |
Ends: |
31 December 2001 |
Value (£): |
135,454
|
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Complex fluids & soft solids |
|
|
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
|
|
Related Grants: |
|
Panel History: |
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
State-of-the-art density functional theories (DFT) will be used to address the following problems :a) Determine the effective interaction between finite charged platelets surrounded by their highly anisotropic electric double-layers. The platelets will be modelled by rigid discs (e.g. the synthetic clay laponite), while co- and computer-ions will be modelled by point charges, and the solvent by a dielectric continuum. The problem will first be treated within linearised Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) theory.b) In a second stage a model will be improved along the following lines: non-linear PB theory; finite size of the microscopy ions; discreteness of surface charge distribution of polyions; civilised (i.e. molecular) model of solvent.c) The resulting effective interactions will be used in Monte Carlo simulations of the structure and gelation of a clay suspension as a function of platelet and salt concentrations. The investigation of the large-scale fractal structure will require the introduction of a simplified lattice model.d) Finally the case of flexible membranes will be considered, allowing for the interplay between the curvature elastic energy and the Coulomb interactions.
|
Key Findings |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
Impacts |
Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
Summary |
|
Date Materialised |
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
Project URL: |
|
Further Information: |
|
Organisation Website: |
http://www.cam.ac.uk |