Dynamic scaling in colloid aggregation reaction limited process induced by electrolytes and polyelectrolytes

Abstract

We have studied the irreversible aggregation of colloidal polystyrene spheres using a particle counter technique. The mode of cluster growth is found to be modelled by a reaction limited aggregation process. Elementary grains disappear by collision with larger aggregates, which, in return, are only slowly formed. This complex process has one important characteristic: at each time, the concentration of small aggregates of g elementary grains scales like g −τ, τ being a universal exponent in reaction limited processes.