Theory of coagulation of metal nanodust clouds into micro-solids

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical model for the coagulation of charged metal nanodust clouds into micro-sized solids, linking nanoscopic interactions to macroscopic structures relevant in nanoprinting and planetary formation.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical dependence of critical cloud concentration on the Hamaker constant and compares it with experimental data for gold, silver, and copper.

Findings

Derived a theoretical relation between cloud concentration and Hamaker constant.

Compared theoretical predictions with experimental data for Au, Ag, and Cu.

Discussed formation of micro-spheres from nanodust clouds.

Abstract

We describe briefly a possible coagulation mechanism for unipolar nanodust clouds of 3 nm single charged metal nanoparticles. A theoretical dependence of the critical cloud concentration vs the Hamaker constant is derived and compared with available experimental data for Au, Ag, and Cu. Curious empty 1-3 um spheres, precipitated from the clouds in the result of coagulation, are discussed. The work may be interesting for nanoprinting and initial planetary formation mechanisms as establishing a bridge between nano and micro solids.