Active particles in explicit solvent: Dynamics of clustering for alignment interaction

We study the dynamics of clustering in systems containing active particles that are immersed in an explicit solvent. For this, we have adopted a hybrid simulation method, consisting of molecular dynamics and multiparticle collision dynamics. In our model, the overlap-avoiding passive interaction of an active particle with another active particle or a solvent particle has been taken care of via variants of the Lennard-Jones potential. Dynamic interactions among the active particles have been incorporated via a Vicsek-like alignment rule in self-propulsion that facilitates clustering. We quantify the effects of activity and importance of hydrodynamics on the dynamics of clustering via variations of relevant system parameters. Results are obtained for low overall density of active particles, for which the state point is close to the vapor branch of the coexistence curve, and thus the morphology consists of disconnected clusters. In such a situation, the mechanism of growth switches among particle diffusion, diffusive coalescence, and ballistic aggregation, depending upon the presence or absence of active and hydrodynamic interactions providing different kinds of mobilities to the clusters. Corresponding growth laws have been quantified and discussed in the context of appropriate theoretical pictures. Our results suggest that multiparticle collision dynamics is an effective method for the investigation of hydrodynamic phenomena in phase-separating active matter systems.