Computer Simulation Of Gelation By Liquid Removal From The Sol

Simulation of gelation occurring during ceramic membrane formation by sol-gel process is reported. The main cause for gelation in this case is the suction of liquid from the sol by a porous substrate. When aggregation takes place by random collisions only and there is no liquid removal, the gelation takes place uniformly in the liquid. However, when gelation results from the removal of liquid from the surface, a clear gradient in concentration from the interface to the bulk is seen. The structure formed shows maximum compactness at the interface and it progressively becomes more open as the distance from the interface increases.