Single-particle tracking of polymer aggregates inside disordered porous media

Abstract

The diffusion motions of individual polymer aggregates in disordered porous media were visualized using the single-particle tracking (SPT) method because the motions inside porous media play important roles in various fields of science and engineering. In the aggregates diffused on the surfaces of pores, continuous adsorption and desorption processes were observed. The relationship between the size of the aggregates and pore size was analysed based on diffusion coefficients, moment scaling spectrum (MSS) slope analysis, and diffusion anisotropy analysis. The obtained diffusion coefficients were different for different aggregates and pore sizes. The MSS slope analysis indicated that more than 85% of the aggregates showed confined diffusion for all the conditions investigated. The diffusion anisotropy analysis suggested that the diffusion of the aggregates exhibited anisotropic behaviour. The interactions between the aggregates and the pores were complex, causing the aggregates to exhibit motions distinct from those associated with surface diffusion on smooth surfaces.