Interpretation of concentration-dependence in aggregation kinetics Original Research Article

Aggregation processes are analyzed by two kinetic models, the random polymerization model and the nucleation-dependent polymerization model. A kinetic equation for the random polymerization model can be derived analytically, revealing the relation between the initial monomer concentration ([M]0), the rate constant (ka), time (t), the yield of detectable aggregate ([F]), and the critical aggregation number (m). However, time-course curves for the nucleation-dependent polymerization model can be obtained by numerical calculation. It is found that lag time (td) and half-time (t1/2) are proportional to [M]−1 in the random polymerization model, while td and t1/2 are proportional to [M1]−s (1