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Self-assembly in chains, rings, and branches: a single component system with two critical points
Lorenzo Rovigatti1, José Maria Tavares, Francesco Sciortino
1Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy.
Physical Review Letters
|November 5, 2013
Summary
This study reveals unique phase behavior in particle systems, where ring self-assembly in vapor creates a lower critical point. Simulations confirm these unconventional findings on phase separation and self-assembly.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Soft Matter Physics
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Phase separation and self-assembly are fundamental phenomena in soft matter.
- Understanding their interplay is crucial for designing materials with specific properties.
- Previous models often simplify particle interactions and structural possibilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effects of phase separation and self-assembly in a model system.
- To theoretically explore the thermodynamics of systems forming chains, rings, and branched structures.
- To analyze unconventional vapor-liquid coexistence and critical phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Extension of Wertheim's first-order perturbation theory to include ring formation.
- Theoretical investigation of the model's thermodynamics.
- Validation through Monte Carlo simulations.
Main Results:
- Observed peculiar vapor-liquid coexistence with reentrant behavior.
- Identified two critical points in a single-component system.
- Attributed the lower critical point to ring self-assembly in the vapor phase.
Conclusions:
- Ring self-assembly can lead to novel thermodynamic behavior, including lower critical points.
- The theoretical model accurately predicts unconventional phase diagrams.
- Simulations provide strong support for the theoretical framework and its predictions.
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