Comment on "The elusive fluid-and-crystal coexistence state in simulations of monodisperse, hard-sphere colloids"

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that standard simulation methods can successfully produce monodisperse hard sphere systems exhibiting spontaneous fluid-to-crystal coexistence, addressing prior claims of their absence.

Contribution

It provides a straightforward approach to simulate fluid-crystal coexistence in monodisperse hard spheres, challenging previous assertions of their nonexistence in simulations.

Findings

Successful simulation of fluid-crystal coexistence in monodisperse hard spheres.

Standard methods can produce spontaneous nucleation of coexistence.

Addresses and refutes prior claims of the absence of such simulations.

Abstract

In a recent article [J. G. Wang, U. Dhumal, M. E. Zakhari, and R. N. Zia, AIChE Journal 72, e70275 (2026).], the authors discuss the absence of simulations of monodisperse hard spheres in which a metastable fluid spontaneously nucleates into a stable fluid-crystal coexistence. Here, we show that such a simulation can be readily accomplished with standard simulation methods.