Enhanced tunneling conductivity induced by gelation of attractive colloids

We show that the formation of a gel by conducting colloidal particles leads to a dramatic enhancement in bulk conductivity, due to inter-particle electron tunneling, combining predictions from molecular dynamics simulations with structural measurements in an experimental colloid system. Our results show how colloidal gelation can be used as a general route to huge enhancements of conductivity, and suggest a feasible way for developing cheap materials with novel properties and low metal content.