Creation of two phases of matter from a single homogenous mixture
See also: Colloid
Mixing of liquids A and B and subsequent phase separationWhen mixed, oil and vinegar will phase-separateA phase diagram for two isotopes of helium, showing at bottom a range of temperatures and ratios at which they will phase-separate.
Phase separation is the creation of two distinct phases from a single homogeneous mixture.[1] The most common type of phase separation is between two immiscible liquids, such as oil and water. This type of phase separation is known as liquid-liquid equilibrium. Colloids are formed by phase separation, though not all phase separations forms colloids - for example oil and water can form separated layers under gravity rather than remaining as microscopic droplets in suspension.
A common form of spontaneous phase separation is termed spinodal decomposition; it is described by the Cahn–Hilliard equation. Regions of a phase diagram in which phase separation occurs are called miscibility gaps. There are two boundary curves of note: the binodal coexistence curve and the spinodal curve. On one side of the binodal, mixtures are absolutely stable. In between the binodal and the spinodal, mixtures may be metastable: staying mixed (or unmixed) absent some large disturbance. The region beyond the spinodal curve is absolutely unstable, and (if starting from a mixed state) will spontaneously phase-separate.
The upper critical solution temperature (UCST) and the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) are two critical temperatures, above which or below which the components of a mixture are miscible in all proportions. It is rare for systems to have both, but some exist: the nicotine-water system has an LCST of 61 °C, and also a UCST of 210 °C at pressures high enough for liquid water to exist at that temperature. The components are therefore miscible in all proportions below 61 °C and above 210 °C (at high pressure), and partially miscible in the interval from 61 to 210 °C.[2][3]
^Nic M, Jirat J, Kosata B (1997). "Phase separation". In McNaught AD, Wilkinson A, Jenkins A (eds.). IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the "Gold Book") (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications. doi:10.1351/goldbook.P04534. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
^P.W. Atkins and J. de Paula, "Atkins' Physical Chemistry" (8th edn, W.H. Freeman 2006) pp. 186-7
^M. A. White, Properties of Materials (Oxford University Press 1999) p. 175
Phaseseparation is the creation of two distinct phases from a single homogeneous mixture. The most common type of phaseseparation is between two immiscible...
technique for the separation of a mixture into its components. The mixture is dissolved in a fluid solvent (gas or liquid) called the mobile phase, which carries...
leachate treatment plants. One common process in wastewater treatment is phaseseparation, such as sedimentation. Biological and chemical processes such as oxidation...
through a range of different processes, the most well-known of which is phaseseparation of proteins, RNA and other biopolymers into either colloidal emulsions...
liquids and gases are merged into a single mixture and the separation of these different phases is necessary. A decanter centrifuge (also known as solid...
electrospinning, self-assembly, template synthesis, and thermal-induced phaseseparation. Electrospinning is the most commonly used method to generate nanofibers...
or unblendable) owing to liquid-liquid phaseseparation. Emulsions are part of a more general class of two-phase systems of matter called colloids. Although...
Look up Phase, phase, or phases in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Phase or phases may refer to: State of matter, or phase, one of the distinct forms...
major fabrication techniques for QD-LED are called phaseseparation and contact-printing. Phaseseparation is suitable for forming large-area ordered QD monolayers...
liquid-liquid or liquid-solid phaseseparation within cells. Macromolecular crowding strongly enhances colloidal phaseseparation and formation of biomolecular...
tether Theory of Inventive Problem Solving, see TRIZ Thermally Induced PhaseSeparation, a common method used in scaffold design for tissue engineering Treatment...
away from their source. Phaseseparation can occur when seawater is heated to a high enough temperature it will form a second phase. At pressure below the...
undergoes a phaseseparation into a normal fluid (mostly helium-3) that floats on a denser superfluid consisting mostly of helium-4. This phaseseparation happens...
suspended at the interface of two phases. However, only the phaseseparation technique scales well to the nanoscale. The phase interface method involves trapping...
Global Information
