Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Formation of Complex Ions

Formation of Complex Ions

A type of Lewis acid-base chemistry involves the formation of a complex ion (or a coordination complex) comprising a central atom, typically a transition metal cation, surrounded by ions or molecules called ligands. These ligands can be neutral molecules like H2O or NH3, or ions such as CN− or OH−. Often, the ligands act as Lewis bases, donating a pair of electrons to the central atom. These types of Lewis acid-base reactions are examples of a broad subdiscipline called coordination...

Chemical and Solubility Equilibria

Chemical and Solubility Equilibria

The free energy change associated with dissolving a solute in a liter of solvent is called the free energy of a solution, ΔGsolution. The overall ΔGsolution is expressed as the balance of ΔGinteraction against the always-favorable free-energy of mixing, ΔGmixing. Solution formation is favorable if ΔGsolution is less than zero, whereas it is unfavorable if ΔGsolution is greater than zero. In short, for a solution to form and complete dissolution to take place, the Gibbs energy change must be...

Complexation Equilibria: Overview

Complexation Equilibria: Overview

Complexation reactions take place when dative or coordinate covalent bonds form between metal ions and ligands. The compounds formed in these reactions are called coordination compounds. The number of bonds formed between the metal ion and the ligands is called its coordination number. Generally, most metal ions in an aqueous solution are solvated by water molecules and thus exist as aqua complexes.
The equilibrium constant of the complexation reaction is represented as the formation constant...

Colloidal precipitates

Colloidal precipitates

The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...

Energetics of Solution Formation

Energetics of Solution Formation

The formation of a solution is an example of a spontaneous process, which is a process that occurs under specified conditions without energy from some external source.
When the strengths of the intermolecular forces of attraction between solute and solvent species in a solution are no different than those present in the separated components, the solution is formed with no accompanying energy change. Formation of the solution requires the solute–solute and solvent–solvent electrostatic forces to...

Colloids

Colloids

Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Anomalous dynamics of intruders in a crowded environment of mobile obstacles.

Nature communications·2016

Same author

Phase diagram of trivalent and pentavalent patchy particles.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2012

Same author

Silica through the eyes of colloidal models--when glass is a gel.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2011

Same author

Association of limited valence patchy particles in two dimensions.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2011

Same author

A spherical model with directional interactions: II. Dynamics and landscape properties.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2011

Same author

Reversible gels of patchy particles: role of the valence.

The Journal of chemical physics·2009

Same journal

The influence of water on the dynamics of alternating polymers P(C<sub>8</sub>EG<sub>4</sub>) and P(C<sub>4</sub>EG<sub>4</sub>) by broadband dielectric spectroscopy.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2026

Same journal

How surface curvature shapes water nanodroplets in air.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2026

Same journal

Topological boundaries in non-Hermitian p-wave Kitaev chains with Rashba spin-orbit coupling.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2026

Same journal

Unravelling the local structure and magnetic dynamics of Cu-doped MnV₂O₄.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2026

Same journal

Interplay of Anisotropy, Dzyaloshinskii Moriya Interaction and Symmetry breaking Fields in a 2D XY Ferromagnet.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2026

Same journal

Single-molecule electron transport near a charge-trapping orbital-level alignment.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Characterization of pH-Dependent Reversible Self-Assembly of Amyloid Beta 1-40-Coated Gold Colloids

Characterization of pH-Dependent Reversible Self-Assembly of Amyloid Beta 1-40-Coated Gold Colloids

Published on: March 21, 2025

Gel formation through reversible and irreversible aggregation.

Piero Tartaglia¹

¹Dipartimento di Fisica and CNR-INFM-SMC, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, I-00185, Roma, Italy.

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal

|August 13, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study models branched, loopless structure formation using Smoluchowski rate equations. It offers a parameter-free description of particle assembly and links physical and chemical gelation with temperature-dependent aging.

More Related Videos

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Published on: August 2, 2012

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Published on: April 16, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 30, 2026

Characterization of pH-Dependent Reversible Self-Assembly of Amyloid Beta 1-40-Coated Gold Colloids

Characterization of pH-Dependent Reversible Self-Assembly of Amyloid Beta 1-40-Coated Gold Colloids

Published on: March 21, 2025

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Controlling the Size, Shape and Stability of Supramolecular Polymers in Water

Published on: August 2, 2012

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Published on: April 16, 2018

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Materials Science
Chemical Engineering

Background:

Understanding particle assembly is crucial for designing materials with specific properties.
Complex systems exhibit phenomena like gelation, which requires detailed kinetic modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the kinetics of branched, loopless structure formation in particle mixtures.
To develop a parameter-free model for particle assembly, including irreversible aggregation.
To explore the relationship between physical and chemical gelation and temperature-dependent aging.

Main Methods:

Smoluchowski rate equations were employed to model condensation and fragmentation processes.
Dynamics simulations were utilized to provide evidence for key theoretical predictions.
The study focused on systems with low-valence particles.

Main Results:

A parameter-free description of the particle assembly process was achieved.
The model accurately represents irreversible aggregation at low temperatures.
A connection between physical and chemical gelation was established.
The influence of temperature on aging time was elucidated.

Conclusions:

The Smoluchowski rate equations provide a robust framework for describing complex particle assembly.
The findings offer insights into the fundamental processes governing gelation and aging in particle systems.
This work facilitates the design and control of materials through understanding assembly kinetics.