Elastic behavior of spherical nanodroplets in head-on collision

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to analyze the elastic behavior of spherical polymer nanodroplets during head-on collisions, comparing results with classical Hertzian contact theory.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the initial collision phase of nanodroplets can be modeled by continuum elastic theory, extending the understanding of nanoscale collision mechanics.

Findings

Initial collision phase aligns with Hertzian elastic model

Deformation and contact radii match continuum predictions

Deviations occur at the very start of collision

Abstract

Simulation results for head-on collisions of equal-sized spherical polymer nanodroplets using molecular dynamics are presented. Elastic behavior of an initial compressed phase for the colliding droplets is analyzed. Deformations and contact radii of the nanodroplets are compared with the Hertzian model of elastic solid balls. It is found that at least the initial phase of collision can be explained by this continuum model, except at the very moment of the beginning of collision.