Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2009-12-09
Rev. Mod. Phys. vol 81, 1471-1494 (2009)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
25 pages, 15 figures
Scientific paper
10.1103/RevModPhys.81.1471
The structure and thermodynamic state of a system changes under the influence of external electric fields. Neutral systems are characterized by their dielectric constant epsilon, while charged ones also by their charge distribution. In this Colloquium several phenomena occurring in soft-matter systems in spatially uniform and nonuniform fields are surveyed and the role of the conductivity sigma and the linear or nonlinear dependency of epsilon on composition are identified. Uniform electric fields are responsible for elongation of droplets, for destabilization of interfaces between two liquids, and for mixing effects in liquid mixtures. Electric fields, when acting on phases with mesoscopic order, also give rise to block copolymer orientation, to destabilization of polymer-polymer interfaces, and to order-order phase transitions. The role of linear and nonlinear dependences of epsilon on composition will be elucidated in these systems. In addition to the dielectric anisotropy, existence of a finite conductivity leads to appearance of large stresses when these systems are subject to external fields and usually to a reduction in the voltages required for the instabilities or phase transitions to occur. Finally, phase transitions which occur in nonuniform fields are described and emphasis on the importance of epsilon and sigma is given.
No associations
LandOfFree
Colloquium: Phase transitions in polymers and liquids in electric fields does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Colloquium: Phase transitions in polymers and liquids in electric fields, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Colloquium: Phase transitions in polymers and liquids in electric fields will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-276048