Computer simulation of structuring in aqueous L-cysteine–silver-nitrate solutions under the action of initiating salt

Structural transformations occurring in aqueous L-cysteine−silver-nitrate mixed solutions (CSSs) upon the addition of an initiating salt have been studied within the framework of mesoscopic simulation using the dissipative particle-dynamics method. Diffusion of silver mercaptide clusters is decelerated, and metastable chain aggregates thereof are formed in a narrow concentration range of the salt, probably due to the transition into a gel-like state. The results obtained are in qualitative agreement with the experimentally observed behavior of CSSs.