Symmetric mixtures in slit-like pores with selective walls

TL;DR

This study explores how confinement in slit pores with selective walls influences phase separation in symmetric mixtures with high negative non-additivity, revealing complex pore filling behaviors.

Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of wall selectivity and non-additivity on phase behavior and pore filling mechanisms in symmetric mixtures confined in slit pores.

Findings

Phase separation occurs in confined slit pores but not in bulk.

Wall selectivity determines whether condensation occurs directly or in two steps.

Non-additivity and wall interactions significantly alter phase behavior.

Abstract

Symmetric mixtures characterized by high negative geometric and energetic non-additivity do not exhibit phase separation in the bulk. However, the phase separation occurs when such mixtures are confined in slit pores with selective walls. It is demonstrated that the wall selectivity affects the pore filling. When the difference of the interaction energies between the mixture components and pore walls is lower than a certain threshold value, condensation occurs between a dilute phase and the mixed liquid. When this difference exceeds the threshold value, the pore filling may occur in two steps. The first is the condensation of a dilute phase into the demixed liquid, and the second step leads to the formation of the mixed liquid. We have elucidated the changes in the phase behavior caused by non-additivity of symmetric mixtures, and by the difference in the interaction energies of the components with pore walls.