Structure of an amphiphilic lattice gas, and its relationship to microclustering of methanol in water

J A Guerin, Graeme Ackland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

We present a lattice gas model to show that a system of amphiphilic molecules in solution forms clusters without phase separating. This is designed to be the simplest possible model that captures the essence of the so-called microclustering observed both experimentally and by molecular-dynamics computer simulation of methanol in water. The Hamiltonian contains no adjustable parameters, yet exhibits surprisingly complex behavior as a function of temperature and concentration. By studying the specific heat, we reveal three phase boundaries-between a low-temperature phase comprising straight bilayers, intermediate phases exhibiting twisted bilayer and clustering, and a high-temperature phase, which is essentially gaslike. None of the observed phases correspond to the crystalization or phase separation expected of a simple mixture; instead, they correspond to loss of different types of entropy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number021504
Pages (from-to)-
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume73
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2006

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • MICELLAR BINARY-SOLUTIONS
  • ASSOCIATION
  • HYDRATION
  • MIXTURES
  • MODEL

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