Scaling, tricriticality, and crossover in polymer solutions

Authors: Anisimov, M. A.¹; Sengers, J. V.¹

Source: Molecular Physics, Volume 103, Numbers 21-23, -23/10 November&U8211;10 December 2005 , pp. 3061-3070(10)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

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Abstract:

Generalizing a scaled universal description of phase separation in polymer solutions proposed by Benjamin Widom, we have developed a scaled representation of coexistence curves, osmotic susceptibilities and correlation lengths that accounts for a crossover between a regime with Ising (fluctuation-induced) asymptotic critical behaviour, where the correlation length of the critical fluctuations prevails, and a mean-field tricritical regime with theta -point behaviour controlled by the mesoscopic polymer chain. This theoretical description is compared with experimental data on liquid–liquid phase-equilibria and light-scattering measurements of susceptibilities and correlation lengths. In addition, we demonstrate the validity of de Gennes' prediction for the molecular-weight scaling of the critical amplitudes.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/0026970500235834

Affiliations: 1: Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA

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