A structural comparison of random sequential adsorption and equilibrium configurations of spherocylinders

Abstract

The structure of two-dimensional configurations of spherocylinders (discorectangles) generated by random sequential adsorption (RSA) is analyzed via the circular harmonic expansion of the pair distribution function and compared to that of equilibrium fluids at the same density. The structural differences are minimal for short particles but become more pronounced as the aspect ratio of the particles increases. An analysis of the correlations between particles which adsorb at high coverage with their nearest neighbors in saturated RSA configurations, reveals that the most probable relative orientation for particles with aspect ratio α≊2 is perpendicular. This observation helps to explain the maximum in saturation coverage as a function of particle elongation near the aspect ratio α=2.