Equilibrium properties of suspensions

Abstract

This review gives a critical assessment of the various theoretical methods used to calculate, interpret and predict the equilibrium properties of stable particulate suspensions. The emphasis is on methods mainly used over the past decade to study osmotic pressure, static structure factor, radial distribution function, elastic constants and phase equilibria of suspensions of monodisperse spherical particles. The effects of polydispersity and non-sphericity of the particles are also briefly reviewed. Although most applications to data have used a pair-wise additive interparticle potential energy function of the DLVO type, a general discussion of the nature of this interparticle potential is given. An overview of the various statistical mechanical methods used is presented; this includes exact computer simulation methods and approximations such as perturbation theories an integral equation methods. Where possible direct comparisons are drawn between the results of accurate computer simulations and these approximate methods in order to indicate their relative merits, accuracy and range of validity. For situations where accurate experimental data exist, comparisons between theory and experimental results are made to assess the validity of models for the interparticle potentials.