Achieving Absolute Negative Pressures in Liquids: Precipitation Phenomena in Solution

Abstract

A relatively simple and inexpensive experiment to achieve absolute negative pressures in liquids is reported. The liquid is a 1.80% (w/w) solution of polystyrene (M w = 25,000) in acetone. A detailed description of the experiment is followed by photographs, one of which shows a phase transition occurring at negative pressure. By repeating the experiment at different initial volume ratios of liquid to gas, several phase transition points (cloud points) at distinct negative pressures are determined. For each run, the achieved negative pressure is estimated using the isochoric thermal pressure coefficient γ V . To test the reliability of the experimental data, they are compared with data obtained in the positive-pressure region using a different, more precise technique. The two sets of points match reasonably well.

An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Evaporating Meniscus Dynamics and Instabilities

“…A study of the liquid pressure in the meniscus revealed the presence of absolute negative liquid pressure [1]. This phenomenon of absolute negative liquid pressure has been experimentally confirmed in other works outside thin-film studies [48][49][50][51][52][53].…”

A novel non-intrusive microcell for sound-speed measurements in liquids. Speed of sound and thermodynamic properties of 2-propanone at pressures up to 160 MPa

“…Below a certain temperature, which is system-to-system dependent, pure substances present a spinodal line for the liquid phase that is located at absolute negative pressures [25]. Negative pressure regimes can be achieved experimentally when the liquid probes metastable conditions of superheated and stretched states [26][27][28]. The spinodal line can be estimated using the Peng-Robinson equation of state (in the case of acetone, at T ¼ 338 K it is found at p ¼ À32:5 MPa).…”

Negative Pressure Regimes in Ionic Liquids: Structure and Interactions in Stretched Liquids as Probed by NMR

“…The thermodynamic Berthelot cycle illustrated in Figure 1 has been used to both promote pre-pressurisation stages as well as homogeneous tensions to negative pressure regimes. Negative pressures have been safely and accurately estimated (equations [1] and [2]) by experimental determination of thermal-pressure coefficients of each liquid at all T fill relevant-temperatures of the corresponding isochore (invariant, liquid molar volume), inherent to each working capillary, to each IL, and to each temperature.…”

“…A Berthelot-type of cycle ( Fig. 1) was applied and pressures were estimated through equations [1][2].…”