Phase Separation in Confined Geometries

The kinetics of phase separation or domain growth, subsequent to temperature quenches of binary mixtures from the one-phase region into the miscibility gap, still remains a challenging problem of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. We have an incomplete understanding of many aspects of the growth of concentration inhomogeneities, including the effect of surfaces on this process, and the interplay with wetting phenomena and finite-size effects in thin films. In the present paper, an overview of the simulation approaches to this problem is given, with an emphasis on solutions of a diffusive Ginzburg-Landau model. We also discuss two recent alternative approaches: a local molecular field approximation to the Kawasaki spin exchange model on a lattice; and molecular dynamics simulations of a fluid binary Lennard-Jones mixture. A brief outlook to open questions is also given.     

Holographic metals and the fractionalized fermi liquid

We show that there is a close correspondence between the physical properties of holographic metals near charged black holes in anti-de Sitter (AdS) space, and the fractionalized Fermi liquid phase of the lattice Anderson model. The latter phase has a "small" Fermi surface of conduction electrons, along with a spin liquid of local moments. This correspondence implies that certain mean-field gapless spin liquids are states of matter at nonzero density realizing the near-horizon, AdS? × R2 physics of Reissner-Nordstr?m black holes.     

Temperature-dependent vibrational spectroscopic studies of pure and gold nanoparticles dispersed 4-n-Hexyloxy-4’-cyanobiphenyls

Raman spectra of pure and 2 wt.% gold nanoparticles (GNPs) dispersed liquid crystalline compound 4-n-Hexyloxy-4?- cyanobiphenyls (6OCB) has been recorded as a function of temperature from room temperature (solid crystal) to 80°C (isotropic liquid) in the spectral region of 500–2500 cm^?1. The variation of Raman spectral parameters (peak positions and line width) with temperature is used to explain the changes in molecular alignment and its effect on inter-/intra-molecular interactions at crystal-Nematic (K-N) transition. To understand the change in molecular structure during phase transition and on account of dispersion of gold nanoparticles in pure liquid crystal more precisely, two spectral regions 1000–1500 cm^?1 and 1500–2400 cm^?1 have been selected separately. From the detailed study, it is concluded that increased orientational/vibrational freedom of the molecules as well as delocalisation of electron clouds results in the spectral anomalies at K-N transition. The geometrical structure of 6OCB was optimised using density functional theory (DFT) and theoretical Raman spectra have been obtained for comparison with experimental spectra. The tentative assignment of vibrational modes observed in our region of study was calculated based on potential energy distribution (PED) using vibrational energy distribution analysis (VEDA) calculation.     

Dynamics of phase transitions in a liquid crystal probed by Raman spectroscopy

Raman spectra of the Schiff 's base liquid crystalline compound 5O5, N-(4- n-pentyloxybenzylidene)-4'-n-pentylaniline, have been recorded as a function of temperature from 22 to 80°C in the 1140-1220 cm^-1 and 1550-1640 cm^-1 spectral regions. From careful deconvolution of the spectral features using Lorentzian profiles, precise values of peak positions, integrated intensities and linewidths of some selected Raman bands were obtained. The variations of the Raman spectral parameters with temperature are discussed in terms of changes in the molecular alignment and its effect on intra-/inter-molecular interactions at the Cr-G, G-SmF, SmF-SmC and SmA-N phase transitions. From a detailed study, it is inferred that the increased orientational/vibrational freedom of the alkyl chains, as well as the delocalization of the electron clouds, is responsible for the spectral anomalies at the Cr-G transition. Loss of positional ordering and twist around the -C₆H₄-N= bond takes place at the SmF-SmC transition. In the SmA-N transition, some evidence for the formation of cybotactic clusters was obtained.     

Particle deposition onto charge heterogeneous surfaces: convection-diffusion-migration model

The role of surface charge heterogeneity of planar collectors on particle deposition and distribution was investigated in the vicinity of a heterogeneous surface for a radial impinging jet flow geometry. The charge heterogeneity was modeled as concentric circular stripes bearing different surface charges. Particle deposition was studied employing the Eulerian approach (convection-diffusion-migration equation). It was observed that when the collector was completely unfavorable, the presence of small amounts of charge heterogeneity in the form of a small fraction of favorably charged stripes enhanced the deposition rate substantially. In contrast, when the collector was completely favorable, the presence of small amounts of charge heterogeneity in the form of a small fraction of unfavorably charged stripes did not affect the particle deposition rate significantly.     

Synthesis of spongy gold nanocrystals with pronounced catalytic activities

A simple and easier chemical method for preparing spongy gold nanocrystals has been developed on the basis of a modified-citrate reduction technique of the corresponding gold salt at 25 degrees C in the absence of template. These nanocrystals possessed autocatalytic behavior and exhibited pronounced catalytic activity in the borohydride reduction of 4-nitrophenol due to their unique spongy morphology.