Spinodal decomposition in multicomponent fluid mixtures: A molecular dynamics study

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of the number [Formula Presented] of components on the dynamics of phase separation in two-dimensional symmetric multicomponent fluids. In contrast to concentrated two-dimensional binary fluids, where the growth dynamics is controlled by the coupling of the velocity field to the order parameter, leading to large growth-exponent values, the dynamics in multicomponent fluids ([Formula Presented]) is found to follow a [Formula Presented] growth law, where [Formula Presented] is time, which we relate to a long-wavelength evaporation-condensation process. These findings, which are proposed to be consequences of the compact domain structure persisting in multicomponent fluids, imply that hydrodynamic modes do not affect the dynamics of the phase separation in these systems. © 1996 The American Physical Society.

Publication Title

Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

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