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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(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
