Structure factor scaling in colloidal charge heteroaggregation

Abstract

The structure factor, S(q), of a system composed of a 1:1 mixture of oppositely charged colloids undergoing heteroaggregation is studied by Browninan dynamics simulations. A peak develops in S(q) at low wave vectors, which can be scaled for different times to overlap using the scaling of spinodal decomposition, as shown for DLCA. The same master function is obtained for different interaction ranges. The origin of the peak can be traced back to a depletion layer of clusters surrounding every aggregate. At those long distances, cluster-cluster interaction is negligible and the aggregation is diffusion limitted, as deduced from the evolution of peak position, and the S(q) scaling at different interaction ranges. The interaction is, nevertheless, strong enough to affect the internal cluster structure.