Abstract
Extensive molecular dynamics simulations are performed at 6% polydispersity to investigate the phase diagram of a polydisperse hard-sphere fluid and the dynamical behavior in each phase. As the volume fraction φ is increased, the existence of a supercooled liquid is suggested above φ = 0.5524 by the mean-field analysis proposed recently. The first-order phase transition from supercooled liquid to crystal is then shown to occur around φ = 0.5630. The occurrence of re-entrant melting, a first-order phase transition from crystal to supercooled liquid, is also found around φ = 0.5715. The existence of the glass transition is thus suggested, even in the hard-sphere fluid with small polydispersity.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 21357-21363 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Chemistry B |
Volume | 109 |
Issue number | 45 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2005 Nov 17 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry