Nematic-Isotropic Spinodal Decomposition Kinetics of Rod-like Viruses

TL;DR

This study explores the kinetics of phase separation in rod-like viruses, showing that spinodal decomposition is driven by orientational diffusion, aligning with recent theoretical predictions.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence linking spinodal decomposition in rod-like viruses to orientational diffusion, confirming recent theoretical models.

Findings

Spinodal decomposition occurs via orientational diffusion.

Experiments confirm theoretical predictions about phase separation.

High shear rate stabilizes nematic state before quenching.

Abstract

We investigate spinodal decomposition kinetics of an initially nematic dispersion of rod-like viruses (fd virus). Quench experiments are performed from a flow-stabilized homogeneous nematic state at high shear rate into the two-phase isotropic-nematic coexistence region at zero shear rate. We present experimental evidence that spinodal decomposition is driven by orientational diffusion, in accordance with a very recent theory.