Theoretical observations on spinodal decomposition of polymer solutions

Aartsen, J. J. Van

doi:10.1016/0014-3057(70)90026-1

Cited by 106 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Although the gelation mechanism is still under discussion, it is thought to be a combination of mechanisms involving hydrogen bonding [47], crystallite formation, and liquid-liquid phase separation through spinodal decomposition [48].…”

Section: Mechanical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Cryogels for Biomedical Applications

Wan

Bannerman

Yang

et al. 2014

Advances in Polymer Science

118

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Section: Mechanical Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Cryogels for Biomedical Applications

Wan

Bannerman

Yang

et al. 2014

Advances in Polymer Science

118

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“…The wavelength L ≡ 2π/q m that follows from (1) is a few times the particle diameter d for colloid-polymer mixtures away from the critical point, of similar magnitude as for example estimated by van Aartsen for demixing polymer-polymer mixtures [19] and which we here estimated by using the theory presented in [20]. As time proceeds the system approaches its equilibrium densities and the gradients in the density get steeper [21].…”

Section: Length-and Timescalesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interfacial dynamics in demixing systems with ultralow interfacial tension

Aarts¹,

Dullens

Lekkerkerker

2005

New J. Phys.

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Abstract. We report measurements on fluid-fluid phase separation in a colloidpolymer mixture, which can be followed in great detail due to the ultralow interfacial tension. The use of the real-space technique, laser-scanning confocal microscopy, leads to clear, well-defined images making quantitative comparisons to theory possible and being highly instructive. Simple scaling arguments are given why, in experiment, three steps of the phase separation can be observed: an interfacial-tension-driven coarsening, gravity-driven flow and finally the interface formation. All these processes are observed in a single experiment. The first stage can be quantitatively described by viscous hydrodynamics. Coarsening occurs through pinch-off events. The second stage begins at a typical size of ∼2π times the capillary length reminiscent of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The liquid phase breaks up and becomes discontinuous. There is strong directional flow in the system, but the Reynold's number remains much smaller than unity. Finally, the macroscopic interface is formed, growing upwards, with a velocity comparable to the coarsening velocity in the initial stage. Again, viscous hydrodynamics apply with a characteristic velocity of the interfacial tension over the viscosity.

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“…The plausible occurrence of a spinodally-initiated nucleation phenomenon of polymer-lean droplets is explained here, drawing on concepts developed by Tanaka [31], and Zeman and Fraser [26]. It is suggested that the kinetic barrier to the 'undiffusive' process of spinodal decomposition suppresses the formation of a bicontinuous network, wherein roughly equally-sized, interpenetrating microphases are expected [32]. The diffusive flux for spinodal decomposition or 'undiffusive flux' may be written as the product of mobility and a (chemical) free energy driving force [8,9]; therefore, the growth of the polymer-rich portion of the composition fluctuation is probably severely limited by the chain length or molecular weight of the polymer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%