Clustering of low-valence particles: structure and kinetics

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2014 Aug;90(2):022301. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.90.022301. Epub 2014 Aug 12.

Abstract

We compute the structure and kinetics of two systems of low-valence particles with three or six freely oriented bonds in two dimensions. The structure of clusters formed by trivalent particles is complex with loops and holes, while hexavalent particles self-organize into regular and compact structures. We identify the elementary structures which compose the clusters of trivalent particles. At initial stages of clustering, the clusters of trivalent particles grow with a power-law time dependence. Yet at longer times fusion and fission of clusters equilibrates and clusters form a heterogeneous phase with polydispersed sizes. These results emphasize the role of valence in the kinetics and stability of finite-size clusters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Colloids*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Theoretical*

Substances

  • Colloids