Structure of simulated aggregates formed by reversible flocculation

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulation of a non-dilute system of square-well spherical particles has been used to model the formation of colloidal aggregates by reversible flocculation. Numerical results are presented for the effect of interparticle attraction on (i) configurations of trimers and tetramers, (ii) fractal scaling behaviour and (iii) the radial distribution function. The structures of the reversibly flocculated aggregates are compared with those of irreversibly coagulated aggregates obtained previously.