New Zeno-Like Liquid States

Area of Science:

• Thermodynamics
• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• A Zeno line is defined in a fluid's temperature-density plane where compressibility factor equals unity.
• An unexpected Zeno-like line exists in the normal liquid range (NLR) where compressibility factor approaches zero.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize a second Zeno-like linearity in the normal liquid range (NLR).
• To establish a new corresponding states principle based on this observed linearity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of temperature-density data for various liquid types.
• Identification of linear relationships in the normal liquid range (NLR).

Main Results:

• A Zeno-like line is observed in the NLR for diverse liquids, including molecular, polymeric, inorganic, ionic, and metallic liquids.
• Saturated liquid densities exhibit a linear dependence on temperature in the NLR, forming a single master curve.
• Configurational energy also shows a Zeno-like linearity in the NLR, extending to define the ground state energy of glasses.

Conclusions:

• The Zeno-like linearity in the NLR is a generic characteristic of liquids with low vapor pressures.
• This finding establishes a new corresponding states principle applicable to a wide range of liquid systems.
• The concept is extended to determine the ground state configurational energy of hypothetical disordered liquids (glasses).