Chemotactic and hydrodynamic effects on collective dynamics of self-diffusiophoretic Janus motors

Chemotactic and hydrodynamic effects on collective dynamics of self-diffusiophoretic Janus motors

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Source:

New Journal of Physics, Institute of Physics Publishing, Volume 19, Number 12, p.125003 (2017)

URL:

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85039795048&doi=10.1088%2f1367-2630%2faa958c&partnerID=40&md5=b17aceb4bd1b288f2e0aa7d7499b8f72

Keywords:

active matter, Chemical bonds, diffusiophoresis, Fluid dynamics, Hydrodynamic interaction, Hydrodynamics, Inter-molecular forces, Interaction mechanisms, Microscopic modeling, Non-equilibrium steady state, Reactive characteristic, Suspensions (fluids)

Abstract:

<p>Collective motion in nonequilibrium steady state suspensions of self-propelled Janus motors driven by chemical reactions can arise due to interactions coming from direct intermolecular forces, hydrodynamic flow effects, or chemotactic effects mediated by chemical gradients. The relative importance of these interactions depends on the reactive characteristics of the motors, the way in which the system is maintained in a steady state, and properties of the suspension, such as the volume fraction. From simulations of a microscopic hard collision model for the interaction of fluid particles with the Janus motor we show that dynamic cluster states exist and determine the interaction mechanisms that are responsible for their formation. The relative importance of chemotactic and hydrodynamic effects is identified by considering a microscopic model in which chemotactic effects are turned off while the full hydrodynamic interactions are retained. The system is maintained in a steady state by means of a bulk reaction in which product particles are reconverted into fuel particles. The influence of the bulk reaction rate on the collective dynamics is also studied. © 2017 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd on behalf of Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.</p>