Distribution over pore radii in random and isotropic systems of polydisperse rods with finite aspect ratios.

Abstract

Excluded-volume arguments are applied toward modeling the pore-size distribution in systems of randomly arranged cylindrical rods with finite and nonuniform aspect ratios. An explicit expression for the pore-size distribution is obtained by way of an analogy to a hypothetical system of fully penetrable objects, through a mapping that is designed to preserve the volume fraction occupied by the particle cores and the specific surface area. Results are presented for the mean value and standard deviation of the pore radius as functions of the rod aspect ratio, volume fraction, and polydispersity (degree of nonuniformity in the aspect ratios of the particles).