Abstract
We develop two colloid–polymer mixtures in water and study their phase and interfacebehaviour by means of confocal scanning laser microscopy. The systems consist either ofsilica or of poly(methylmethacrylate) particles, fluorescently labelled, with, as the polymer,xanthan. The fluid–fluid phase separation can be clearly followed in time and, dependingon the concentrations and system details, we observe coarsening either of a bicontinuousspinodal structure or of a suspension of colloid-rich droplets. After phase separation hascompleted, we study the thermal capillary waves at the fluid–fluid interface. Weconstruct correlation functions and compare with capillary wave theory. Finally, wedemonstrate that these colloid–polymer systems are compatible with microfluidics.
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