Effect of electron tunneling on the crystallization of nanostructured metal sols

• Published in: Colloid journal of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vol. 71; no. 3; pp. 345 - 352
• Main Authors: Karpov, S. V., Isaev, I. L., Gavrilyuk, A. P., Gerasimov, V. S., Grachev, A. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 01-06-2009
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Polymer Sciences; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Adsorption Layer; Dissipative Force; Electron Tunneling; Colloid Journal; Neighbor Particle
• ISSN: 1061-933X; 1608-3067
• DOI: 10.1134/S1061933X09030089

Regularities of the self-organization of bimodal ensembles of nanoparticles into crystalline structures in metal lyosols are studied by the Brownian dynamics method. Differences in the thicknesses of adsorption layers, van der Waals, elastic, and electrostatic interactions, and random and dissipative forces, as well as variations in interparticle electrostatic interactions due to electron tunneling are taken into account in the model. Pair potentials for polydisperse ensembles of particles are analyzed and the correlation between the pattern of potential curves and the type of forming structures is revealed. The possibility of the selective coagulation of particles with different sizes by virtue of dissimilar charging at the moment of their approach is demonstrated. The kinetics of this process is investigated. Specific features of the crystallization of bimodal sols are discussed using real gold organosols as examples.