Keywords

ternary polymer solutions, multi-fluid models

Abstract

We develop a multi-fluid model for a ternary polymer solution using the Rayleighian formalism of Doi and Onuki, and give an efficient pseudo-spectral method for solving both the diffusion and momentum equations that result. Subsequently, we find that the numerical simulation is capable of describing systems at the micron length-scale and easily reaches millisecond time-scales. In addition, we characterize the model thermodynamics and kinetics including the (i) phase behavior, (ii) structure of the interfaces, (iii) mutual diffusion coefficients, (iv) bulk spinodal decomposition kinetics with and without hydrodynamics and (v) spinodal decomposition in the presence of an interface with a non-solvent bath. We obtain good qualitative agreement with the expected thermodynamic and kinetic behavior. We also show that a linear stability analysis of the diffusion equation quantitatively predicts the fastest growing mode obtained from simulation and gives insight into the phase separation process relevant for the evolution of microstructure in phase-separating ternary polymer solutions.

Original Publication Citation

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/SM/c6sm02839j

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2017-03-23

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8930

Publisher

Royal Society of Chemistry

Language

English

College

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering

Department

Chemical Engineering

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

Share

COinS