On the double criticality of fluids adsorbed in disordered porous media

Abstract

The phase transition of a fluid adsorbed in a heterogeneous system is studied with two simple lattice gas models within the framework of a mean-field theory. Despite the different origin of the heterogeneity (spatial variation of binding energy or fluid coordination numbers), the fluid can undergo two phase transitions if the hosting system is sufficiently heterogeneous. It is clearly shown that such a polymorphism in the confined fluid results from the successive condensations in distinct spatial regions of the host. We have found the precise conditions at which one two phase transitions occur. The insight gained from the present study allows one to understand better some recent puzzling simulation results.