Random sequential adsorption of tetramers

TL;DR

This study numerically investigates the random sequential adsorption of tetramers on a flat surface, analyzing coverage, kinetics, and spatial correlations, and compares results with experimental data for plasmid adsorption.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical analysis of tetramer adsorption models and compares the results with experimental data, providing insights into adsorption kinetics and spatial structure.

Findings

Maximal random coverage ratio determined for both models

Available Surface Function characterized for adsorption kinetics

Density autocorrelation function measured and analyzed

Abstract

Adsorption of tetramer built of four identical spheres was studied numerically using the Random Sequential Adsorption (RSA) algorithm. Tetramers were adsorbed on a two dimensional, flat and homogeneous surface. Two different models of the adsorbate were investigated: a rhomboid and a square one; monomer centres were put on vertices of rhomboids and squares, respectively. Numerical simulations allow to establish the maximal random coverage ratio as well as the Available Surface Function (ASF), which is crucial for determining kinetics of the adsorption process. These results were compared with data obtained experimentally for KfrA plasmid adsorption. Additionally, the density autocorrelation function was measured.