A Stochastic Model of Particle Deposition and Evaporation for Ionic Self-Assembly of Thin Films

We investigate nanoparticle self-assembly using a stochastic model based on cooperative sequential adsorption with evaporation mechanisms and aimed specifically at the creation of optical thin films. Applying the mean field approximation, we derive a rate equation for particle density. We solve directly for the particle density in both the steady state and time-dependent cases. The analytical results are compared to Monte Carlo simulations of the self-assembly process and to experimental data for self-assembled thin films. We relate our theoretical model to the final particle density for thin films created under varied nanoparticle suspension concentrations.