Formation kinetics of fractal nanofiber networks in organogels

The fractal structure of nanofiber networks formed in organogels is identif ied, using an in situ rheological method, together with a coupled supercrit ical fluid CO2 extraction/scanning electron microscopy technique. The rheol ogical method allows us to have in-line measurements of the fractal growth of the nanofiber networks. In comparison with conventional light scattering techniques, the results obtained from this technique show much less scatte r in data. Unlike conventional fractal aggregates, the growth of this type of fractal pattern is governed by a noncrystallographic branching mechanism , which occurs via self-mismatch nucleation and growth. (C) 2001 American I nstitute of Physics.