Modeling nanosized colloidal particle interactions with Brownian dynamics using discrete element method

We study nanosized colloidal particle interactions in solution. Brownian dynamics that mimics the effects of collisions with solvent molecules is developed and integrated into discrete element method. Equation of motion is derived so that the deterministic and stochastic parts of particle motion are solved separately. Computational strategy is developed to handle consistent movement of Brownian cluster comprising agglomerated particles. An intensive geometric check is developed to prevent unrealistic overlapping, possibly caused by random motion from Brownian dynamics. The nanosized SiC particles in electro-plating solution are modeled. The simulation results indicate that Brownian dynamics effects primarily dominate the agglomeration processes of colloids.