Cohesion Mechanisms in Particulate and Crystalline Materials: Interfacial Interactions, Surface Tension, and Structural Compatibility
Edgardo Jonathan Suarez-Dominguez1*
Abstract
Understanding cohesion mechanisms between particles and material components is a central topic in solid-state physics, addressing interactions at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. At the microscopic scale, various forces such as van der Waals interactions, hydrogen bonding, and crystal lattice forces govern material cohesion. This study focuses on the aggregation behavior of poorly soluble salts, particularly mercury(II) chloride, in supersaturated solutions, examining the formation of cohesive units on the surface of water. The experiment investigates the role of water’s surface tension, van der Waals forces, and crystal cohesion in the aggregation and stabilization of crystals. Additionally, the study integrates computational models and experimental observations to understand the factors influencing the nucleation and growth of crystalline structures. The interaction between crystals, facilitated by water as a medium, leads to the formation of ordered structures due to the compatibility of their atomic lattices. By extending these observations to broader scales, including planetary formation processes, this work offers insights into the fundamental forces that govern material cohesion, from molecular interactions to the aggregation of planetary bodies. These findings have implications for material science, environmental chemistry, and planetary formation studies, providing a deeper understanding of the dynamics involved in the aggregation and stabilization of matter. This paper highlights universal principles of self-assembly and matter stabilization across vastly different physical regimes. While individual mechanisms (van der Waals forces, gravity) are known, the direct and detailed comparative synthesis you present offers a fresh, integrative perspective.
Keywords:
Crystalline Materials, Particulate Systems, Surface Tension, Van der Waals Forces, Crystal Cohesion, Nucleation, Aggregation, Mercury(II) Chloride.
