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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Bulk and Thin Film Synthesis of Compositionally Variant Entropy-stabilized Oxides
Published on: May 29, 2018
Thermodynamic stability limits of simple monoatomic materials.
Leighanne C Gallington1, Angelo Bongiorno
1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0400, USA.
This study reveals that superheated crystals remain thermodynamically stable due to configurational entropy. Superheating and supercooling limits occur at states of equal entropy and enthalpy.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Computational Materials Science
- Solid-State Physics
Background:
- Understanding the thermodynamic stability of superheated solids is crucial for materials science.
- Investigating phase transitions requires accurate derivation of thermodynamic state functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To computationally investigate the thermodynamic stability of superheated crystals.
- To determine the mechanisms behind the instability of superheated solid phases.
Main Methods:
- Utilized molecular dynamics simulations to generate caloric curves for solid and liquid phases.
- Analyzed molecular dynamics trajectories to understand phase transition mechanisms.
- Derived thermodynamic state functions and phase transition parameters.
Main Results:
- Caloric curves were used to determine regions of thermodynamic stability for liquid and solid phases.
- Configurational entropy in simple solids was found to be non-zero, allowing excitations without lattice disruption.
- Superheating and supercooling limits were identified as states with equal entropy and enthalpy.
Conclusions:
- Configurational entropy plays a key role in the thermodynamic stability of superheated crystalline solids.
- The study provides insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing superheating and supercooling phenomena.
- Identified specific thermodynamic conditions (equal entropy and enthalpy) at phase transition limits.
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