Aggregation behavior in the early stage of sol solutions formation

Formation of sol solutions is intrinsically a non-equilibrium phenomenon governed by a competition between kinetics and thermodynamics. This Letter investigates the aggregation behavior of sols in early formation process through monitoring microstructures of sols experimentally. Two kinds of aggregation structures and a dynamic feedback disaggregation structure evolution were found determined by reflux time through the particles’ sticking probability. It can be deduced that the clusters/aggregations were formed through a process of nucleation, ramous growth and disaggregation. Moreover, it was shown that the initial concentration had no effects on the structure or size of clusters.