Elastic behavior of spherical nanodroplets in head-on collision

Abstract

Simulation results for head-on collisions of equal-sized spherical polymer nanodroplets using molecular dynamics are presented. Elastic behavior of an initial compressed phase for the colliding droplets is analyzed. Deformations and contact radii of the nanodroplets are compared with the Hertzian model of elastic solid balls. It is found that at least the initial phase of collision can be explained by this continuum model, except at the very moment of the beginning of collision.