Numerical study of neutral and charged microgel suspensions: from single-particle to collective behavior

We perform extensive Molecular Dynamics simulations of an ensemble of realistic microgel particles in swollen conditions in a wide range of packing fractions ζ. We compare neutral and charged microgels, where we consider charges distribution adherent to experimental conditions. Through a detailed analysis of single-particle behavior, we are able to identify the different regimes occurring upon increasing concentration: from shrinking to deformation and interpenetration, always connecting our findings to available experimental observations. We then link these single-particle features to the collective behavior of the suspension, finding evidence of a structural reentrance, that has no counterpart in the dynamics. Hence, while the maximum of the radial distribution function displays a non-monotonic behavior with increasing ζ, the dynamics, quantified by the microgels' mean-squared displacement, always slows down. Key similarities and differences between neutral and charged microgels are identified. Importantly, at high enough ζ we also detect the fusion of the shells of charged microgels, that was previously invoked to explain key experimental findings. This highlights the fact that even for standard poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgels, commonly considered as a prototype of soft colloid, charge effects are relevant. Overall, our study establishes a powerful framework to uncover the physics of microgel suspensions under several different conditions. Indeed, it can be readily extended to tackle different regimes, e.g. high temperature, and systems, e.g. complex microgel topologies such as ultra-low-crosslinked ones, where experimental evidence is still limited.