Title: Diffusion of nanoparticles in gases and liquids

Authors: Valery Rudyak, Aleksander Belkin, Serge Krasnolutskii

Addresses: Department of Theoretical Mechanics Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Russia. ' Department of Theoretical Mechanics Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Russia. ' Department of Theoretical Mechanics Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Russia

Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study of nanoparticle relaxation and diffusion in gases and liquids. The molecular dynamics method and kinetic theory with a special interaction potential are used to determine the diffusion coefficient. It is shown that nanoparticle diffusion differs considerably from the diffusion of Brownian particles and the macromolecules. Microfluctuations of the carrier fluid and their influence on nanoparticle relaxation are investigated. Data on the nanoparticle diffusion coefficient versus particle radius and carrier fluid temperature and density are presented and discussed. The drag force acting on a nanoparticle is calculated.

Keywords: nanofluids; diffusion coefficient; drag force; velocity relaxation; nanoparticles; kinetic theory; molecular dynamics; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2008.018946

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2008 Vol.2 No.3, pp.204 - 225

Published online: 25 Jun 2008 *

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