Eur. Phys. J. E 5, 415-422 (2001)
Monte-Carlo simulation of transient gel formation and break-up during reversible aggregation
J.C. Gimel, T. Nicolai and D. DurandPolymères Colloïdes Interfaces (CNRS UMR 6120) , Université du Maine, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 9, France jean-christophe.gimel@univ-lemans.fr
(Received 1st March 2001 and Received in final form 24 April 2001)
Abstract
Monte-Carlo simulations of reversible aggregation on a
cubic lattice were done by introducing a finite probability (P)
of nearest neighbours to form a bond. Depending on the volume
fraction of occupied sites (
) and P we observed different
phenomena by monitoring as a function of time the space filling
and the distribution of the aggregates and the gel fraction. At
smaller values of P the system develops into an equilibrium
distribution of aggregates of which the average size increases
with increasing until above a critical value the system
percolates. At larger values of P the system phase separates
into two phases with different densities. Above a critical value
of the system percolates during a finite time. The life
time of the gel and the maximum gel fraction were studied as a
function of P.
82.70.Gg - Gels and sols.
64.75.+g - Solubility, segregation, and mixing; phase separation.
64.60.Ak - Renormalization-group, fractal, and percolation studies of phases transitions.
02.70.Lq - Monte-Carlo and statistical methods.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2001
