We present a multi-scale model to study the attachment of spherical particleswith a rigid core, coated with binding ligands and in equilibrium with thesurrounding, quiescent fluid medium. This class of fluid-immersed adhesion iswidespread in many natural and engineering settings. Our theory highlights howthe micro-scale binding kinetics of these ligands, as well as the attractive /repulsive surface potential in an ionic medium effects the eventual macro-scalesize distribution of the particle aggregates (flocs). The results suggest thatthe presence of elastic ligands on the particle surface allow large flocaggregates by inducing efficient inter-floc collisions (i.e., a large, non-zerocollision factor). Strong electrolytic composition of the surrounding fluidfavors large floc formation as well.
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