Effective modelling of adsorption monolayers built of complex molecules

Abstract

Random sequential adsorption algorithm is a popular tool for modelling structure of monolayers built in irreversible adsorption experiments. However, this algorithm becomes very inefficient when the density of molecules in a layer rises. This problem has already been solved for a very limited range of basic shapes. This study presents a solution that can be used for any molecule occupying the surface that can be modelled by any number of different disks. Additionally, the presented algorithm stops when there is no possibility to add another shape to the monolayer. This allows to study properties of fully saturated, two-dimensional random packings built of complex shapes. For instance, the presented algorithm has been used to determine the mean saturated packing fractions of monolayers built of dimers and fibrinogen.