Development of a moment model for condensational obliteration of nanoparticle aggregates

A new method of simulating condensational obliteration in the framework of the moment method is presented. The nanoparticle size distribution was assumed to be represented by a time-evolving log-normal function during the particle growth. The rate of change in the primary particle size due to obliteration was expressed as a function of the surface growth rate and three size distribution moments. Model validation was carried out by comparing with sectional model simulations. Compared to the sectional model, the new moment model was shown to provide similar results for primary and aggregate particle growth with much less computing time.