Multicomponent solution solidification with arrested phase separation model for liquid-to-glass transition

TL;DR

This paper proposes a thermodynamic model describing the liquid-to-glass transition as a non-equilibrium solidification of multicomponent solutions, emphasizing arrested phase separation and the absence of a solid-liquid interface.

Contribution

It introduces a new perspective that glass transition is a phase transition in multicomponent solutions, not a separate phenomenon, based on thermodynamic and kinetic considerations.

Findings

Glass transition is a non-equilibrium solidification process.

Arrested phase separation prevents solid-liquid interface formation.

Viscosity growth reflects formation of stable bound configurations.

Abstract

Due to nonuniform aggregation in liquid state, from the thermodynamic point of view any glass-forming liquid in the vicinity of the liquid-to-solid phase transition temperature, irrespective of its actual chemical composition, shall be described in terms of a complex multicomponent solution whose comprised of the same chemical elements components have characteristic atomic arrangement deviating to various extent from the thermodynamic ground state with respect to the size, shape, density, structure, and stoichiometry. Therefore, glass transition appears to be a process of non-equilibrium solidification of multicomponent solution upon its rapid cooling. The essential feature of this process is that the attempts of the liquid and solid phases of the solidifying solution to separate out are largely arrested due to quenching. Thus, the solidification occurs in the absence of solid-liquid interface, so the substance in the liquid-to-glass transition region is observed behaving like fluid with rapidly growing viscosity that reflects the formation of mechanically rigid and stable bound configurations. It is shown that glass transition shall be classified as phase transition in multicomponent solutions and not a standalone phenomenon.