Cluster formation in symmetric binary SALR mixtures

The equilibrium cluster fluid state of a symmetric binary mixture of particles interacting through short-ranged attractive and long-ranged repulsive interactions is investigated through Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the clustering behavior of this system is controlled by the cross-interaction between the two types of particles. For a weak cross-attraction, the system displays a behavior that is a composite of the behavior of individual components, i.e., the two components can both form giant clusters independently and the clusters distribute evenly in the system. For a strong cross-attraction, we instead find that the resulting clusters are mixtures of both components. Between these limits, both components can form relatively pure clusters, but unlike clusters can join at their surfaces to form composite clusters. These insights should help to understand the mechanisms for clustering in experimental binary mixture systems and help tailor the properties of novel nanomaterials.