Work

Inhibition of mineral dissolution by aggregation of colloidal particles driven by diffusiophoresis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This letter presents a new mechanism of interaction between mineral dissolution and colloidal transport. Using microfluidic experiments, we demonstrate that diffusiophoresis, i.e., the motion of colloidal particles due to solute concentration gradients, offers an appealing solution to drive colloidal particles toward a dissolving mineral. We report that particle aggregation limits the mineral dissolution through the formation of a passivation layer around the mineral. This work could be exploited to turn undesirable mechanisms (e.g., dissolution of confinement barriers and release of toxic components by contaminants trapped in porous formations) into positive feedback as the concentration gradients resulting from these events become the driving force to deliver colloids for remediation.

Source: Physical Review Fluids

DOI: 10.1103/physrevfluids.10.l032501

Authors: Sophie Roman, Flore Rembert

Institutions: Université d'Orléans, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans

Language: English

Topic: Micro and Nano Robotics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: European Commission, Agence Nationale de la Recherche