Modeling ternary mixtures by mean-field theory of polyelectrolytes: Coupled Ginzburg–Landau and Swift–Hohenberg equations

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to model ternary mixtures using the theory of pattern formation and of polyelectrolytes, with mean-field approximations. The model has two local, non-conserved order parameters. In the free energy short-range and long-range nonlocal interactions between elements of the mixture are considered. The spatiotemporal dynamics of the system is described by coupling the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation and the Swift–Hohenberg equation. These non-linear partial differential equations are solved with numerical methods to study the emergent spatially stable configurations. The model shows a large diversity of patterns, which permit an interpretation of the behavior of some biological systems and presents different growth lengths within its spatial structures.