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Crystallization kinetics of polydisperse colloidal hard spheres. II. Binary mixtures
S Martin1, G Bryant, W van Megen
1Applied Physics, School of Applied Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne 3001, Australia. stephen.martin@uni-konstanz.de
Summary
Binary hard sphere mixtures show crystallization kinetics are sensitive to particle size distribution. Skewing towards larger particles is less detrimental to crystal structure than skewing towards smaller particles.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Understanding crystallization kinetics in polydisperse systems is crucial for materials design.
- Hard sphere models provide a fundamental basis for studying phase transitions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the crystallization kinetics of binary mixtures of hard sphere particles with varying size distributions.
- To analyze the impact of particle size polydispersity on crystal growth and structure.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Bragg reflection growth over time.
- Determination of crystallite scattering vector, total crystal amount, and average linear crystal size.
Main Results:
- Particle size distribution skewed towards larger particles has a less detrimental effect on crystal structure.
- Skewing towards smaller particles leads to delayed crystallization site development.
- Crystallization is linked to local fractionation within the fluid.
Conclusions:
- Polydispersity significantly affects the kinetic growth of crystallites in hard sphere systems.
- A proposed growth mechanism involving local fractionation is supported by these findings.