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Effects Of Surface-Directed Spinodal Decomposition On Binary Thin-Film Morphology, Michael Brian Wise
Effects Of Surface-Directed Spinodal Decomposition On Binary Thin-Film Morphology, Michael Brian Wise
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Preferential wetting can have a significant impact on the kinetics of phase separation in certain systems. The depletion of the wetting component can simply alter domain growth rates or change the structure entirely. In this thesis, we employ a Cahn-Hilliard model to study the evolution of binary thin-films with symmetric surface wetting. Three possible morphologies were identified: discrete, bicontinuous, and a novel quasi-2D bicontinuous structure in which both phases retain continuity throughout the volume as well as on the center xy plane. Using a continuity factor, regions of film thickness versus blend composition were classified as producing a certain morphology. …
Mesoscale Computational Studies Of Thin-Film Bijels, Joseph M. Carmack
Mesoscale Computational Studies Of Thin-Film Bijels, Joseph M. Carmack
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Bijels are a relatively new class of soft materials that have many potential applications in the technology areas of energy, medicine, and environmental sustainability. They are formed by the arrest of binary liquid spinodal decomposition by a dispersion of solid colloidal nanoparticles. This dissertation presents an in-depth simulation study of Bijels constrained to thin-film geometries and in the presence of electric fields. We validate the computational model by comparing simulation results with previous computational modeling and experimental research. In the absence of suspended particles, we demonstrate that the model accurately captures the rich kinetics associated with diffusion-based surface-directed spinodal decomposition. …