15,623 research outputs found
Liquid-state theory of charged colloids
A simple theory of the fluid state of a charged colloidal suspension is
proposed. The full free energy of a polyelectrolyte solution is calculated. It
is found that the counterions condense onto the polyions forming clusters
composed of one polyion and n counterions. The distribution of cluster sizes is
determined explicitly. In agreement with the current experimental and Monte
Carlo results, no liquid-gas phase separation was encountered.Comment: 4 pages, 2 Postscript figures, uses multicol.sty; changed conten
Donnan equilibrium and the osmotic pressure of charged colloidal lattices
We consider a system composed of a monodisperse charge-stabilized colloidal
suspension in the presence of monovalent salt, separated from the pure
electrolyte by a semipermeable membrane, which allows the crossing of solvent,
counterions, and salt particles, but prevents the passage of polyions. The
colloidal suspension, that is in a crystalline phase, is considered using a
spherical Wigner-Seitz cell. After the Donnan equilibrium is achieved, there
will be a difference in pressure between the two sides of the membrane. Using
the functional density theory, we obtained the expression for the osmotic
pressure as a function of the concentration of added salt, the colloidal volume
fraction, and the size and charge of the colloidal particles. The results are
compared with the experimental measurements for ordered polystyrene lattices of
two different particle sizes over a range of ionic strengths and colloidal
volume fractions.Comment: 8 pages, 4 Postscript figures, uses multicol.sty, to be published in
European Physical Journal
Influence of disordered porous media in the anomalous properties of a simple water model
The thermodynamic, dynamic and structural behavior of a water-like system
confined in a matrix is analyzed for increasing confining geometries. The
liquid is modeled by a two dimensional associating lattice gas model that
exhibits density and diffusion anomalies, in similarity to the anomalies
present in liquid water. The matrix is a triangular lattice in which fixed
obstacles impose restrictions to the occupation of the particles. We show that
obstacules shortens all lines, including the phase coexistence, the critical
and the anomalous lines. The inclusion of a very dense matrix not only suppress
the anomalies but also the liquid-liquid critical point
Coexistence Curve Singularities at Critical End Points
We report an extensive Monte Carlo study of critical end point behaviour in a
symmetrical binary fluid mixture. On the basis of general scaling arguments,
singular behaviour is predicted in the diameter of the liquid-gas coexistence
curve as the critical end point is approached. The simulation results show
clear evidence for this singularity, as well as confirming a previously
predicted singularity in the coexistence chemical potential. Both singularities
should be detectable experimentally.Comment: 9 pages Revtex, 3 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Thermodynamic, Dynamic and Structural Anomalies for Shoulder-like potentials
Using molecular dynamic simulations we study a family of continuous
core-softened potentials consisting of a hard core, a shoulder at closest
distances and an attractive well at further distance. The repulsive shoulder
and the well distances represent two length scales. We show that if the first
scale, the shoulder, is repulsive or has a small well, the potential has a
region in the pressure-temperature phase diagram with density, diffusion and
structural anomalies. However, if the closest scale becomes a deep attractive
well the regions in the pressure-temperature phase diagram where the three
anomalies are present shrink and disappear. This result enables us to predict
by the shape of the core-softened potential if anomalies would or would not be
present
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