Spinodal phase separation of unstable solid-state binary n-alkane mixtures

Two mixtures of unequal chain length n-alkanes in which one component is deuterated have been investigated by infrared spectroscopy as they demixed. The measurements followed the band shapes of the scissors vibrations as a function of time. The band envelopes are analyzed as composites of a number of reference mixtures of known concentration. The unequal-chain mixtures separate into phases that slowly change their composition toward pure alkane phases. The method of analysis, which reveals local concentrations, should be generally applicable to polymethylene systems.