Enhancement of silica aerosol coagulation by van der waals forces

Abstract

The interaction energy between small silica particles has been calculated for a range of diameters between 2 and 30 nm. The enhancement of the coagulation rate has been calculated for these particles. The enhancement factor ranges from a maximum of about 2.62 for a 2-nm diameter pair down to 1.96 for a 30-nm diameter pair. Calculations of the aerosol size distribution indicate that a nearly self-preserving form is attained after the cessation of nucleation. © 1990 Elsevier Science Publishing Co., Inc.