MICROEMULSIONS AS MICROREACTORS - A MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION ON THE SYNTHESIS OF PARTICLES

The formation of particles in microemulsions is studied by Monte Carlo computer simulation. Two different types of particle size distributio ns can be obtained (unimodal and bimodal), depending on surfactant fil m flexibility and concentration. A bimodal particle size distribution is obtained only if two conditions are fulfilled: Growth by autocataly sis is the predominant process during nanoparticle formation and both growth processes (autocatalysis and ripening) take place at different times. The results allow us to explain the appearance of bimodality in recent experimental results. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.