Bulk and shear moduli of compressed microgel suspensions

We independently determine the bulk and shear moduli of compressed microgel suspensions and the bulk modulus of individual microgel particles and find that the elastic behavior of the suspension reflects the degree of compression of the particles. This feature, which is distinct from other soft mate...

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Published inPhysical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 84; no. 6 Pt 1; p. 060402
Main Authors Liétor-Santos, Juan José, Sierra-Martín, Benjamín, Fernández-Nieves, Alberto
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.2011
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Summary:We independently determine the bulk and shear moduli of compressed microgel suspensions and the bulk modulus of individual microgel particles and find that the elastic behavior of the suspension reflects the degree of compression of the particles. This feature, which is distinct from other soft materials such as emulsions or foams, can give rise to an unusually large difference between the bulk and shear moduli of the suspension. Our results extend our understanding of soft materials to systems based on compressible objects, opening up possibilities for engineering materials with drastically different responses to shear and compression.
ISSN:1550-2376
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.84.060402