FRACTAL DIMENSION ANALYSIS OF SINGLE, IN-SITU, RESTRUCTURED CARBONACEOUS AGGREGATES

The fractal dimension (D) of progressively restructured carbonaceous aggregates was investigated, whereby a modified Millikan cell allowed the measurement of D for a single, in situ aggregate in three-dimensional space. The technique relies on simultaneous measurement of the volume equivalent diameter (d(VE)) and the aerodynamic diameter (d(AE)), hence allowing the number of primary spherules in the aggregate, the dynamic shape factor chi and D to be determined. Several stages of aggregate restructuring to a more spherical morphology, induced by reversal of the DC electric field, were observed and at each stage D was measured. Such electrostatic restructuring resulted in D exhibiting a limiting value, as high as 2.2 in some eases, beyond which additional increase by this method was not possible.