Numerical investigation of nucleation and coagulation processes and the influence on nanoparticle size distribution based on nodal method

The individual homogeneous nucleation, heterogeneous condensation, coagulation and the complete process of them are investigated numerically based on the nodal method. Results of nanoparticle size distribution (NPSD) due to above processes are also presented and discussed in this paper. At a given temperature, nanoparticles are first formed through homogeneous nucleation process. Then heterogeneous condensation takes place, and NPSD changes due to the interaction between nanoparticles and monomers. Finally nanoparticles undergo coagulation, which is the dominant factor to determine NPSD when temperature is relatively low. After all these processes, NPSD tends to be log-normal.