Anomalous Diffusion Inside Soft Colloidal Suspensions Investigated by Variable Length Scale Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

The diffusion of molecules and particles inside the aqueous suspension of soft colloids (polymer microgels) is investigated using variable length scale fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (VLS-FCS). Carbopol 940 is chosen as the model matrix system, and two factors affecting diffusion are investigated: the spatial hindrance and the diffusant–matrix interaction. By studying diffusion of molecules and particles with different sizes inside the suspension, VLS-FCS reveals the restricted motion at a short length scale, that is, in the gaps between the microgels, and normal diffusion at a larger length scale. The information on the gap’s length scale is also accessed. On the other hand, by tuning the pH value, the diffusant–matrix electrostatic attraction is adjusted and the results expose a short-time fast diffusion of probe molecules inside the gaps and a long-time restricted diffusion because of trapping inside the microgels. It is proved that VLS-FCS is a powerful method, investigating anomalous diffusion at different length scales and it is a promising approach to investigate diffusion in complex soft matter systems.