Frustration of the isotropic-columnar phase transition of colloidal hard platelets by a transient cubatic phase

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a transient cubatic phase frustrates the isotropic-columnar transition in colloidal hard platelets, revealing the role of local structures and particle shape in vitrification and devitrification.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the cubatic phase is metastable and influences phase transition dynamics through geometric frustration and shape-dependent stability.

Findings

Cubatic phase is metastable in model hard platelets.

Local particle stacks prevent columnar phase formation.

Particle shape variations affect cubatic phase lifetime.

Abstract

Using simulations and theory, we show that the cubatic phase is metastable for three model hard platelets. The locally favored structures of perpendicular particle stacks in the fluid prevent the formation of the columnar phase through geometric frustration resulting in vitrification. Also, we find a direct link between structure and dynamic heterogeneities in the cooperative rotation of particle stacks, which is crucial for the devitrification process. Finally, we show that the life time of the glassy cubatic phase can be tuned by surprisingly small differences in particle shape.