Perturbative polydispersity: Phase equilibria of near-monodisperse systems

Abstract

The conditions of multi-phase equilibrium are solved for generic polydisperse systems. The case of multiple polydispersity is treated, where several properties (e.g. size, charge, shape) simultaneously vary from one particle to another. By developing a perturbative expansion in the width of the distribution of constituent species, it is possible to calculate the effects of polydispersity alone, avoiding difficulties associated with the underlying many-body problem. Explicit formulae are derived in detail, for the partitioning of species at coexistence and for the shift of phase boundaries due to polydispersity. `Convective fractionation' is quantified, whereby one property (e.g. charge) is partitioned between phases due to a driving force on another. To demonstrate the ease of use and versatility of the formulae, they are applied to models of a chemically-polydisperse polymer blend, and of fluid-fluid coexistence in polydisperse colloid-polymer mixtures. In each case, the regime of coexistence is shown to be enlarged by polydispersity.