title: Numerical study of cluster formation in binary charged colloids.
abstract: Cluster formation of oppositely charged colloidal particles is studied numerically. A simple Brownian dynamics method with a screened-Coulomb (Yukawa) potential is employed for numerical simulations. An equilibrium phase which consists of clusters and unassociated particles is obtained. It is shown that the equilibrium association number of clusters and their shapes are determined by charge numbers and charge ratio of the binary particles. The phase diagram of cluster formation for various charge numbers and their ratios is obtained. A simple relation between the association number and the charge ratio is found. It is demonstrated that in the case of high charge ratio the cluster takes a multilayer structure which is highly symmetric. It is also pointed out that the cluster-particle interaction changes dynamically in the cluster formation process, which is involved in the selection of final cluster structure.
authors: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors: Tohru
authors: T
authors: Okuzono
authors: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors: Kana
authors: K
authors: Odai
authors: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors: Tatsuhiro
authors: T
authors: Masuda
authors: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors: Akiko
authors: A
authors: Toyotama
authors: Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan.
authors: Junpei
authors: J
authors: Yamanaka