Light-induced manipulation of passive and active microparticles

Pooja Arya,Joachim Jelken,David Feldmann,Evgeny S Asmolov,Nino Lomadze,Olga I Vinogradova,Svetlana Santer,Maren Umlandt

doi:10.1140/epje/s10189-021-00032-x

Abstract

We consider sedimented at a solid wall particles that are immersed in water containing small additives of photosensitive ionic surfactants. It is shown that illumination with an appropriate wavelength, a beam intensity profile, shape and size could lead to a variety of dynamic, both unsteady and steady state, configurations of particles. These dynamic, well-controlled and switchable particle patterns at the wall are due to an emerging diffusio-osmotic flow that takes its origin in the adjacent to the wall electrostatic diffuse layer, where the concentration gradients of surfactant are induced by light. The conventional nonporous particles are passive and can move only with already generated flow. However, porous colloids actively participate themselves in the flow generation mechanism at the wall, which also sets their interactions that can be very long ranged. This light-induced diffusio-osmosis opens novel avenues to manipulate colloidal particles and assemble them to various patterns. We show in particular how to create and split optically the confined regions of particles of tunable size and shape, where well-controlled flow-induced forces on the colloids could result in their crystalline packing, formation of dilute lattices of well-separated particles, and other states.Graphic

Highlights

The ability to dynamically manipulate colloidal particles at interfaces is essential prerequisites for offering new and revolutionary solutions for developing strategies of self-repairing complexes and integrated structures, the creation of new materials such as hybrid bioelectro-mechanical systems, building adaptive sensors, optoelectronic, optical devices, and active structural colour materials [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The DO flow can be induced by light allowing to manipulate inert particles [30], and it has recently been reported that some type of particles, such as porous, can even participate in its generation mechanism, acting as micropumps and representing a novel type of active colloids [31]
We first ascertain the range of intensities leading to the lightinduced diffusio-osmosis (LDDO) flow

Summary

Introduction

The ability to dynamically manipulate colloidal particles at interfaces is essential prerequisites for offering new and revolutionary solutions for developing strategies of self-repairing complexes and integrated structures, the creation of new materials such as hybrid bioelectro-mechanical systems, building adaptive sensors, optoelectronic, optical devices, and active structural colour materials [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Different mechanisms of the colloidal motion can be induced by employing the so-called diffusio-osmosis (DO), where the flow tangent to the wall is driven by the gradient of the solute concentration (or the osmotic pressure gradient) [27,28]. The DO flow can be induced by light allowing to manipulate inert (i.e. nondissolvable) particles [30], and it has recently been reported that some type of particles, such as porous, can even participate in its generation mechanism, acting as micropumps and representing a novel type of active colloids [31]

Methods

Results

Conclusion