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
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Tree, Douglas R.; Delaney, Kris T.; Ceniceros, Hector D.; Iwama, Tatsuhiro; and Fredrickson, Glenn H., "A multi-fluid model for microstructure formation in polymer membranes" (2017). Faculty Publications. 6201.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/6201
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
Copyright Status
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2017
Copyright Use Information
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/