Abstract
Using a minimal algebraic model for the thermodynamics of binary rod-polymer mixtures, we provide evidence for a quintuple phase equilibrium; an observation that seems to be at odds with the Gibbs phase rule for two-component systems. Our model is based on equations of state for the relevant liquid crystal phases that are in quantitative agreement with computer simulations. We argue that the appearance of a quintuple equilibrium, involving an isotropic fluid, a nematic and smectic liquid crystal, and two solid phases, can be reconciled with a generalized Gibbs phase rule in which the two intrinsic length scales of the athermal colloid-polymer mixture act as additional field variables.
- Received 27 March 2020
- Accepted 10 July 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.125.127803
Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.
Published by the American Physical Society