On the validity of Smoluchowskís equation for cluster-cluster aggregation kinetics

Large-scale computer simulations of cluster–cluster aggregation of particles undergoing Brownian motion have been performed to investigate the kinetic properties of the coagulation process. It is shown that the mean-field approach of the Smoluchowski equation accurately describes the kinetics if the fractal geometry of the clusters is taken into account. The kinetic rate kernels that enter into that equation are deduced explicitly from the simulations.