Late Stage Of Spinodal Decomposition Research Articles

Nanostructure regularity in white beetle scales for stability and strong optical scattering [Invited

Cyphochilus white beetle scales exhibit exceptionally strong light scattering power that originates from their regular random fibrillar network nanostructure. The structure is believed to be formed by late-stage spinodal decomposition in a lipid membrane system. However, the structure is characterized by nonconstant mean curvatures and appreciable anisotropy, which are not expected from late-stage spinodal decomposition, so that the surface free energy is not minimized. Nevertheless, a high degree of regularity represented by the relatively uniform fibril dimensions and smooth fibril surfaces in the structure may result from a process similar to spinodal decomposition. In this study, we investigate the role of regularity in the Cyphochilus white beetle scale structure in realizing strong light scattering. Irregularity is computationally introduced into the structure in a systematic fashion such that its anisotropy is preserved and its surface area is kept constant. Calculations show that optical scattering power decreases as irregularity increases with a high sensitivity. This effect happens because, remarkably, irregularity on a scale much smaller than the wavelength destroys anisotropy in optical diffusion. Thus, the result shows that the in vivo process in Cyphochilus white beetle scales utilizes structural regularity and anisotropy to achieve strong light scattering at a tolerable surface free energy. In typical fabrication of random media, irregularity and multiple length scales typically increase surface area, so that durability of the nanostructures may be negatively affected. Our study indicates that regularity in anisotropic random nanostructures can achieve strong light scattering with a moderate surface free energy.

Comparison of Monte Carlo and quasi-Monte Carlo technique in structure and relaxing dynamics of polymer in dilute solution

Structure and dynamics of polymer in solvent solution is an important area of research since the functional properties of polymer are largely dependent on the morphology of the polymers in solution. This structure related properties are especially important in case of surface science where the phase-separated morphology in the micro/nano scale dictates the properties of the product. Modeling polymers in solution is an efficient way to determine the morphology and thus the properties of the products. It saves time as well as helps to design novel materials with desired properties. Polymers in solution systems are generally modeled with bead spring model and Monte Carlo or importance sampling Monte Carlo simulations is used to find the optimal configuration where the energy of the system is minimized. Often in these simulations, random numbers are used in the Monte Carlo steps. Normally random numbers try to form clusters and do not cover the entire dimension of the system. Thus the minimum energy structures obtained from simulations with random numbers are not optimal configuration of the system. In the present work a lattice-based model is used for polymer solution system and importance sampling Monte Carlo is used for simulation. Quasi-random numbers generated from Hammersley sequence sampling (HSS) are used in the simulation steps for stochastic selection polymers and its movements. Quasi-random numbers obtained from HSS are random in nature and they have n-dimensional uniformity. They do not form clusters and the structural configuration obtained using quasi-random numbers are optimal in nature. The optimal configurations of the polymers as obtained from random number and quasi-random number are compared. The result shows that simulation with HSS attains a lower energy state after initial quench. At the late stage of spinodal decomposition, the structure factor decrease-showing Ostwald ripening which is not observed from simulation with random numbers.

Evolution of concentration fluctuation during phase separation in polymer blends with viscoelastic asymmetry

A systematic rheological method is suggested to study the kinetics of concentration fluctuation during phase separation. It is based on the idea that the storage modulus of a phase separating polymer blend is composed of modulus due to the growing domains (interfacial contribution) and due to the thermally induced local composition fluctuations inside the domains (components' contribution). The two part contributions to the blend modulus varied with frequency. A crossover frequency was determined, below and above which the elastic modulus is dominated by the interfacial contribution and by the components' contribution, respectively. At frequency much above the crossover frequency, the variation of storage modulus is due to the change of local compositions, which can be calculated according to the relationship between the blend composition and the dynamic modulus in miscible state. In addition, the steady state values of local compositions can be considered as the thermodynamic equilibrium compositions at the annealed temperature, which help us to construct phase diagram. Moreover, the interfacial contribution at frequency lower than the crossover frequency could be isolated by subtracting the components' contribution from the blend's modulus. The characteristic length of domains were got through YZZ model with the equilibrium interfacial tension, which is comparable to the results from transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, from the evolution of local compositions and the growth way of the characteristic length of domains, the crossover time from the intermediate stage to the late stage of spinodal decomposition can be specified. This method is tested on poly (methyl methacrylate)/poly (styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PMMA/SAN) blend, and would be applicable in other polymer blends with viscoelastic asymmetry.

Three-dimensional phase-field simulations of membrane porous structure formation by thermally induced phase separation in polymer solutions

We present a three-dimensional phase-field simulation of membrane porous structure formation via spinodal decomposition by the thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method. The free energy of the polymer solution system was described based on the Flory–Huggins theory, and the mobility was calculated from the solvent self-diffusion coefficients estimated by the free-volume theory of Vrentas and Duta. We explored the effects of initial polymer concentration, quench temperature, and gradient energy parameter on the membrane morphology evolution. The initial domain size increased with the decreasing driving force for the spinodal decomposition and the increasing contribution of the gradient energy to the total energy. The morphology evolution during the intermediate and late stage of spinodal decomposition also depended on the membrane morphology formed at the initial stage, such as bicontinuous or droplet structures. We also simulated the membrane formation under the influence of a polymer concentration gradient in the TIPS process. The polymer concentration gradient led to the formation of membranes with anisotropic pore structures.

Two-Dimensional Phase Separation of a Poly(methyl methacrylate)/Poly(l-lactide) Mixed Langmuir Monolayer via a Spinodal Decomposition Mechanism

We have found the first evidence that a polymer blend Langmuir monolayer can phase-separate via spinodal decomposition (SD) mechanism. The system was a poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(L-lactide) mixture. It phase-separated immediately after compression on a water surface and formed a spinodal-like morphology, as observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The fast Fourier transform of the AFM images showed a clear spinodal ring with a maximum intensity at a wavenumber of q(m). At the small quench depth at a surface pressure of 2 mN/m, q(m) did not change, but the concentration difference between the domains (ΔΦ) grew with time, corresponding to the early-stage SD. At larger quench depths at 4 and 5 mN/m, q(m) significantly decreased, but ΔΦ was constant with time; this behavior corresponded well to the late-stage SD. Thus, the 2D phase separation in the Langmuir monolayer was basically explained by the SD mechanism well-known in 3D systems. In the late stage SD of the monolayer, q(m) scaled with time much faster than that expected by theories for the 2D state. Phase separation via a SD mechanism is a promising new way to control the lateral morphology of Langmuir monolayers, one of the main issues in nanotechnology that remains difficult to attain even today.

Nonlinear phase-separation behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(styrene-co -maleic anhydride) blends

The nonlinear phase-separation behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) (PMMA/SMA) blends over wide appropriate temperature and heating rate ranges was studied using time-resolved small-angle laser light scattering. During the non-isothermal process, a quantitative logarithm function was established to describe the relationship between cloud point (Tc) and heating rate (k) as given by Tc = Alnk + T0, in which the parameter A, reflecting the heating rate dependence, is much different for different compositions due to phase-separation rate and activation energy difference. For the isothermal phase-separation process, an Arrhenius-like equation was successfully applied to describe the temperature dependence of the apparent diffusion coefficient (Dapp) and the relaxation time (τ) of the early stage as well as the late stage of spinodal decomposition (SD) of PMMA/SMA blends. Based on the successful application of the Arrhenius-like equation, the related activation energies could be obtained from Dapp and τ of the early and late stages of SD, respectively. In addition, these results indicate that it is possible to predict the temperature dependence of the phase-separation behavior of binary polymer mixtures during isothermal annealing over a range of 100 °C above the glass transition temperature using the Arrhenius-like equation. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Phase decomposition diagram of magnetic alloy semiconductor

We investigate the thermodynamics of phase decomposition in magnetic alloy semiconductors (MASs) using the statistical Flory–Huggins lattice model. Based on this model, we propose a method to determine experimentally the interaction parameter χ and apply it to draw the phase decomposition diagram of (GaMn)As. The interaction energy of (GaMn)As was estimated to be about 5.7 mRy, which is close to the first principle calculation of 4.2 mRy. Using this phase diagram, we fabricated MnAs nanoparticles with a rectangular lattice structure utilizing the spinodal decomposition. We discuss the formation of rectangular and triangular lattice structures at the late stage of spinodal decomposition in MASs using the Ginzburg–Landaulike free energy function.

Effect of an organoclay on the reaction‐induced phase‐separation kinetics and morphology of a poly(ether imide)/epoxy mixture

AbstractOrganically modified layered silicates with a hydroxyl‐substituted quaternary ammonium surfactant as the modifier were incorporated into a mixture of poly (ether imide) and epoxy with 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone as the hardener. The influence of the organically modified layered silicates on the reaction‐induced phase‐separation kinetics and morphology of the poly(ether imide)/epoxy mixture was investigated with time‐resolved small‐angle light scattering, phase‐contrast microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The phase‐separation kinetics were analyzed by means of the temporal evolution of scattering vector qm and scattering intensity Im at the scattering peak. The organically modified layered silicates obviously facilitated an earlier onset of phase separation but reduce the phase‐separation rate and greatly retarded the domain‐coarsening process in the late stage of spinodal decomposition. The temporal evolution of both qm and Im followed the power law qm ∼ (t − tos)−α and Im ∼(t − tos)−β, where t is the reaction time, tos is the onset time of phase separation, and α and β are growth exponents. For the samples filled with organically modified layered silicates, α crossed over from 0 to about 1/3, following Binder–Stauffer cluster dynamics, and an interconnected phase structure was observed for cure temperatures ranging from 120 to 230°C. For the unfilled samples, the interconnected phase structure was observed only at cure temperatures below 140°C. At temperatures above 150°C, α crossed over from 0 to 1/3 < α ≤ 1 under the interfacial tension effect, following Siggia's theory, and the domain‐coarsening rate was very fast; this resulted in macroscopic epoxy‐rich domains. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1205–1214, 2007

Complex coacervation between β-lactoglobulin and Acacia gum: A nucleation and growth mechanism

Complex coacervation between proteins and polysaccharides is a demixing process mainly driven by electrostatic interactions. During this process many structural transitions occur, involving the formation of soluble complexes, aggregated complexes, and coacervates. The dynamic mechanism of complexation/coacervation was studied on β-lactoglobulin (BLG)/Acacia gum (AG) mixed dispersions (0.1 wt% total concentration; BLG:AG ratio of 2:1) using small angle static light scattering (SALS). Acidification of BLG/AG dispersions was induced by dissolution of 0.11 wt% glucono- δ-lactone, allowing in situ SALS measurements. Time evolution of turbidity, scattered light intensity at 46° scattering angle ( I 46 ) or slope of scattering functions at high q range revealed the existence of six pH-induced structural transitions. During BLG/AG complexation and before coacervation took place, scattering profiles displayed a monotonic decrease of I ( q ) as a function of q. A correlation peak in the scattering functions was only observed when coacervates appeared in the system. The wave vector q max corresponding to the maximum in scattered intensity first shifted toward larger q values, indicating an increasing number of coacervates, then shifted toward smaller q values, as a consequence of the system coarsening. The power laws q max ∼ t − α and I max ∼ t − β gave values of 1.9 and 9.2, respectively, values much larger than those expected for intermediate and late stages of spinodal decomposition. From these results, it was concluded that complex coacervation between BLG and AG was a nucleation and growth type process. In addition, the temporal evolution of I 46 followed power laws with two different exponents. First exponent corresponding to BLG/AG complexation was 3.0 ± 0.3 and indicated a diffusion-controlled growth mechanism. Second exponent corresponding to the initiation of phase separation to the coacervation process was 6.5 ± 0.3 and revealed an interfacially-controlled growth mechanism.

Later-Stage Spinodal Decomposition in Polymer Solution under High Pressure: Analyses of Scaled Structure Factor

Later-stage spinodal decomposition (SD) of polymer solutions (polypropylene/trichlorofluoromethane) after the onset of pressure jump was investigated in situ by using time-resolved light scattering. The time evolution of the scaled structure factor F(x) ≡ q m (t,P) 3 I(x) with x ≡ q/q m (t,P) was analyzed as a function of time t at various pressure P's where q m (t,P) is the magnitude of scattering vector q at maximum scattered intensity at t and P. In the late-stage SD, F(x) becomes universal with time, indicating that the phase-separated structure grows with self-similarity in the late-stage SD. The obtained F(x) was compared with those of other experiments on polymer blends and computer simulations.

Crystallization and phase separation kinetics in blends of linear low-density polyethylene copolymers

We have systematically studied the crystallization and liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) kinetics in statistical copolymer blends of poly(ethylene- co-hexene) (PEH) and poly(ethylene- co-butene) (PEB) using primarily optical microscopy. The PEH/PEB blends exhibit upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in the melt and crystallization temperature below the UCST. The time evolution of the characteristic morphology for both crystallization and LLPS is recorded for blends at various compositions and following a quench from initial homogenous melts at high temperature to various lower temperatures. The crystallization kinetics is measured as the linear growth rate of the super structural crystals, whereas the LLPS kinetics is measured as the linear growth rate of the characteristic length of the late-stage spinodal decomposition. The composition dependence crystallization kinetics, G, shows very different characteristics at low and high isothermal crystallization temperature. Below 116 °C, G decreases with increasing PEB content in the blend, implying primarily the composition effect on materials transport; whereas at above 116 °C, G shows a minimum at about the critical composition for LLPS, implying the influence of the LLPS. On the other hand, LLPS kinetics at 130 °C is relatively invariant at different compositions in the two-phase regime. The length scale at which domains are kinetically pinned, however, depends strongly on the composition. In a blend near critical composition, a kinetics crossover is shown to separate the crystallization dominant and phase separation dominant morphology as isothermal temperature increases.

Spinodal phase separation and isothermal crystallization behavior in blends of VDF/TrFE(75/25) copolymer and poly(1,4-butylene adipate) (I)

Phase behavior and spinodal phase separation kinetics in binary blends of a random copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene (75/25) [P(VDF/TrFE)] and poly(1,4-butylene adipate) (PBA) have been investigated by means of optical microscopic observation and time-resolved light scattering. The blends exhibited a typical lower critical solution temperature (LCST)∼34 °C above the melting temperature of the P(VDF/TrFE) crystals over the entire blend composition range. P(VDF/TrFE) and PBA were totally miscible in the temperature gap between the melting point of P(VDF/TrFE) and the LCST. Temperature jump experiments of the 3/7 P(VDF/TrFE)/PBA blend were carried out on a light-scattering apparatus from a single-phase melt state (180 °C) to a two-phase region (205∼215 °C). Since the late stage of spinodal decomposition (SD) is prevalent in the 3/7 blend, SD was analyzed using a power law scheme. Self-similarity was preserved well in the late stage of SD in the 3/7 blend.

Connectivity and topology of a phase-separating bicontinuous structure in a polymer mixture: Direct measurements of coordination number, inter-junction distances and Euler characteristic

A new set of topological parameters describing connectivity of a phase-separated bicontinuous structure of a polymer mixture in the late stage of spinodal decomposition has been directly measured by use of laser scanning confocal microscopy. A 3D thinning algorithm was used to transform one of the phase-separated domains into a skeletal network that locates at about the center of the domain. Number of channels intersecting at a junction, Nj, and distance between the adjacent junctions, Dj, were obtained from the resulting skeletal network. It was found that the phase-separated domain of the polymer mixture possesses, for the most part, 3 branches at each junction. The Euler characteristic, describing topology of the network, was found to be between ∼−2 to −4, topologically equivalent to a sphere with ∼2 to 3 handles. Time-evolution of the histograms of the coordination number, H(Nj), and distance, H(Dj), clearly demonstrates that the bicontinuous structure grows with self-similarity in topological sense.

Ultrafast laser-induced molecular and morphological changes during spinodal demixing of water/2-butoxyethanol/KCl.

We initiated morphological and molecular level changes in the spinodal decomposition (SD) of H(2)O/2-butoxyethanol/KCl with a pulsed ir laser. Transient Raman spectra gave us a molecular level view of the early stage of this process that could be linked to later morphological events. Chemical changes during SD, such as reorganization of H bonds and forced hydrophobic interactions, ended after 1 micros; however, phase domains continued to grow with self-similarity after 30 micros. The growth of the phase domains satisfied the power law L(t) approximately t(0.55) and was consistent with the late stage of SD. The time scale for the onset of late stage SD is many orders of magnitude faster than previously reported in ionic and nonionic conditions.

Effect of confinement on phase-separation processes in a polymer blend observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.

Structure self-assembling in the late stage spinodal decomposition of a polymer blend at its critical composition has been explored by laser-scanning confocal microscopy with particular emphasis on the effects of confinement (dimensionality) and preferential wetting of solid surface by one of the constituent polymers. A mixture of deuterated polybutadiene and polybutadiene (PB) with relatively narrow thickness (D congruent with 55 microm) was observed in three dimensions over the entire thickness. Formation of a wetting layer was clearly observed near the glass surface, while a bicontinuous structure evolved in the middle of the specimen. Global as well as local features of the phase-separating structures were quantified by several structural parameters, e.g., characteristic length Lambda(m)(t), structure factor S(q), interfacial area per unit volume Sigma(t), probability densities of interfacial curvatures P(H,K;t), etc. (t is a phase-separation time). From the time evolution of these structural parameters, a deviation from the self-similar growth of a bicontinuous structure was found to occur at a transition time, t(tr), at which a scaled thickness, D/Lambda(m), approached unity. The breakdown of the self-similar growth was most sensitively observed by the local characteristics, i.e., Sigma(t) and P(H,K;t). On the other hand, the global characteristic, Lambda(m)(t), did not provide useful insight into the effects of dimensionality. It turned out that the bicontinuous structure, initially growing with dynamical self-similarity, eventually transformed into a "columnlike" structure (at t congruent with t(tr)) in which cylindrical PB-rich domains bridge the upper and lower PB wetting layers.

Microstructural changes of a binary polymer blend in simple shear flow across the phase boundary

We explore the dynamic response of a marginally entangled poly(dimethyl siloxane)/poly(ethyl methyl siloxane) blend in simple shear flow using rheology and small angle light scattering in situ. Data are collected in both the flow/gradient and flow/vorticity planes. We find that for this model binary blend, exhibiting upper critical solution temperature behavior, shear suppresses the large pretransitional concentration fluctuations and eventually yields homogenization. The simple modified Cahn–Hilliard–Cook phenomenological model of Lai and Fuller [J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 32, 2461–2474 (1994)] describes semiquantitatively the time evolution of the structure factor and orientation angle well, supporting the experimental observations of enhanced orientation with flow. In the phase separated region, when the late stages of spinodal decomposition are reached, the shear-induced anisotropic distortion of the spinodal ring, orienting in the flow direction, and its relaxation upon flow cessation are probed and found to depend on the distance from the spinodal point. At intermediate times the spinodal ring gives rise to unstable butterfly patterns, as a consequence of the coupling of fluctuations with the flow, yielding clongated droplets at later times. The latter turn into streaks at higher rates, suggesting that the mechanism of shear-induced homogenization from the spinodal region, is analogous to that observed in blend solutions. A kinetic phase diagram indicating different microstructures at different temperatures and shear rates, is constructed. These results underline important similarities between binary polymer blends and polymer blend solutions and mark the important parameter ranges for controlling their rheology.

Self-Assembly of β-Lactoglobulin and Acacia Gum in Aqueous Solvent: Structure and Phase-Ordering Kinetics

Complex coacervation in β-lactoglobulin (BLG)/acacia gum (AG) dispersions has been studied at pH 4.2 using time-resolved confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and small angle static light scattering (SALS). Two BLG/AG dispersions differing in the extent of charge neutralization were used in these experimentsBLG(1)/AG(1) and BLG(2)/AG(1) with a BLG/AG weight ratio of 1 and 2, respectively. A few seconds after mixing BLG and AG, both dispersions showed the presence of vesicular and unstable multivesicular coacervates (apparent diameters da = 1−15 μm). In BLG(1)/AG(1) dispersions, the unneutralized anionic polysaccharide was located at the surface of vesicles, providing steric and electrostatic stabilization of particles. Sedimentation of vesicles occurred gradually and led to a great number of small stable coacervates (da < 5 μm) in the focal plane after ∼30 min. In BLG(2)/AG(1) dispersions, coalescence of coacervates and rapid sedimentation of insoluble particles onto the observation slide were observed. After ∼15 min, an almost continuous layer of adsorbed coacervates was observed. Interactions between coacervates and precipitation led to the formation of rough surfaces. SALS experiments showed that the turbidity of BLG(1)/AG(1) dispersions was low and did not evolve markedly as a function of time. The scattered light intensity functions I(q) versus q displayed initially a correlation peak located at a length scale R (2π/qmax) of about 10 μm. Neither the maximum intensity Imax nor R changed significantly as a function of time. A transient increase of Imax was however observed, suggesting a delayed emergence of coacervates. BLG(2)/AG(1) dispersions were initially very turbid and unstable. The scattered light intensity functions displayed initially a correlation peak that moved to smaller wave vectors. The length scale R increased from 14 to 50 μm within 3000 s and followed the power law R ∼ tα with an α exponent value of ∼0.5, slightly larger than the 0.2−0.3 value characteristic of a purely diffusion-controlled growth of particles. During the same time interval, interfaces sharpened but remained fractal. At longer coarsening times, a new correlation peak appeared that slowly moved toward smaller q (α ∼ 0.2). Interfaces became rough or fractal. The evolution of scattering patterns during the two growth processes was compatible both with late stage spinodal decomposition and nucleation and growth. Polydispersity of biopolymers, different rates of coarsening, and existence of an interfacial length scale did not allow dynamic scaling of data.

Determination of temperature dependent structure evolution by fast-Fourier transform at late stage spinodal decomposition in bicontinuous biopolymer mixtures

The evolutions of the bicontinuous microstructures of aqueous phase separating gelatin/maltodextrin mixtures quenched to different end temperatures were determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The growth of the bicontinuous microstructures was quantified by Fourier image analysis. Weighted least squares were applied in order to be able to use all the spectral information. The results of Fourier image analysis and weighted least squares were related to existing theories on coarsening. The mixtures were quenched from 60 °C to different end temperatures ranging between 10 °C and 37 °C and the concentration was held constant at 4.2 w/w % gelatin and 7.9 w/w % maltodextrin. The results showed that the mixture phase separated through spinodal decomposition at all temperatures. A crossover was found from structure growth governed by diffusion to structure growth governed by hydrodynamic flow. The results showed that the structure evolution at the beginning of the phase separation was temperature independent with a growth proportional to the time raised to one-third. After the crossover, the growth of the characteristic distance between the maltodextrin domains was temperature dependent with a growth proportional to the time raised to an exponent that varied from 0.75 to 1.58. It was found that the growth exponent increases with decreasing end temperature, i.e., increasing quench depth. The maximum intensity of the circularly averaged two-dimensional fast-Fourier transform of the CLSM micrographs was found to grow exponentially with time. The increases in the maximum intensity were proportional to the time raised to an exponent that varied from 1.98 to 4.97. It was found that this exponent increases with decreasing end temperature. Before the crossover, the relation between the growth exponent of the microstructure and the growth exponent of the maximum intensity, as compared with existing theories on coarsening, showed that the phase separation was in the intermediate or transitional stages of spinodal decomposition. Similarly, after the crossover, it was found that phase separation was in the late stages of spinodal decomposition. Furukawa master plots showed that the structure growth obeyed dynamical scaling and that the dimensionality of the growth was three, given off-critical conditions.

Effect of Convection on Domain Growth During Demixing Transitions in Fluids

Current analytical work on the effect of convection on the late stages of spinodal decomposition in liquids is briefly described. The morphology formed during the spinodal decomposition process depends on the relative composition of the two species. Droplet spinodal decomposition occurs when the concentration of one of the species is small. Convective transport has a significant effect on the scaling laws in the late-stage coarsening of droplets in translational or shear flows. In addition, convective transport could result in an attractive interaction between non-Brownian droplets which could lead to coalescence. The effect of convective transport for the growth of random interfaces in a near-symmetric quench was analysed using an area distribution function, which gives the distribution of surface area of the interface in curvature space. It was found that the curvature of the interface decreases proportional to time t in the late stages of spinodal decomposition, and the surface area also decreases proportional to t .

Domain patterns in ternary mixtures with different interfacial properties

Numerical simulation of the phase separation kinetics in ternary mixtures with different interfacial properties is performed by means of the cell dynamics approach. We discuss the effects of the competition between the phase separation and the wetting phenomena on the system morphology and growth dynamics. Morphological changes and domain growth due to different interfacial properties including wetting and interface tension difference between two interfaces are observed in the late stage of spinodal decomposition.