Observation of soot superaggregates with a fractal dimension of 2.6 in laminar acetylene/air diffusion flames

report the observation of a novel phase of soot in an acetylene/air laminar diffusion flame. As was measured by a small-angle light scattering apparatus, the phase consists of about 10-mum superaggregates with a fractal dimension of D similar or equal to 2.6. This phase coexists with submicrometer D similar or equal to 1.8 soot fractal aggregates typical for most flames. Both percolation and shear-induced restructuring are considered as possible mechanisms of formation for those superaggregates.