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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Phase Behavior of Charged Vesicles Under Symmetric and Asymmetric Solution Conditions Monitored with Fluorescence Microscopy

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Published on: October 24, 2017

Equilibrium domains on heterogeneously charged surfaces.

A Naydenov¹, P A Pincus, S A Safran

¹Department of Physics, University of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids

|October 24, 2007

Summary

Mobile charged species on surfaces can form stable, finite domains, preventing phase separation. Domain size balances electrostatic forces and line tension, with a predicted transition to macroscopic separation at higher salt concentrations.

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Area of Science:

Surface science
Physical chemistry
Electrostatics

Background:

Surfaces with oppositely charged species typically undergo phase separation into large domains.
Short-range interactions and line tension usually drive macroscopic separation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the conditions under which finite equilibrium structures form on surfaces with two oppositely charged species.
To determine the factors influencing the size of these finite domains.

Main Methods:

Theoretical modeling of electrostatic interactions and line tension effects.
Calculation of equilibrium patch size as a function of surface charge and salt concentration.

Main Results:

Demonstration that mobile charged species enable stable, finite equilibrium domains.
Identification of a balance between electrostatic free energy and line tension governing domain size.
Prediction of a first-order phase transition from finite patches to macroscopic separation with increasing salt concentration.

Conclusions:

Finite equilibrium domains are achievable on surfaces with mobile charged species.
The interplay between electrostatic forces and line tension dictates domain morphology.
Salt concentration is a critical parameter controlling the transition between finite and macroscopic phase separation.