TY - JOUR
T1 - Microphase Separation in Oil-Water Mixtures Containing Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Ions
AU - Tasios, Nikos
AU - Samin, Sela
AU - van Roij, Rene
AU - Dijkstra, Marjolein
PY - 2017/11/21
Y1 - 2017/11/21
N2 - We develop a lattice-based Monte Carlo simulation method for charged mixtures capable of treating dielectric heterogeneities. Using this method, we study oil-water mixtures containing an antagonistic salt, with hydrophilic cations and hydrophobic anions. Our simulations reveal several phases with a spatially modulated solvent composition, in which the ions partition between water-rich and water-poor regions according to their affinity. In addition to the recently observed lamellar phase, we find tubular and droplet phases, reminiscent of those found in block copolymers and surfactant systems. Interestingly, these structures stem from ion-mediated interactions, which allows for tuning of the phase behavior via the concentrations, the ionic properties, and the temperature.
AB - We develop a lattice-based Monte Carlo simulation method for charged mixtures capable of treating dielectric heterogeneities. Using this method, we study oil-water mixtures containing an antagonistic salt, with hydrophilic cations and hydrophobic anions. Our simulations reveal several phases with a spatially modulated solvent composition, in which the ions partition between water-rich and water-poor regions according to their affinity. In addition to the recently observed lamellar phase, we find tubular and droplet phases, reminiscent of those found in block copolymers and surfactant systems. Interestingly, these structures stem from ion-mediated interactions, which allows for tuning of the phase behavior via the concentrations, the ionic properties, and the temperature.
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.218001
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.218001
M3 - Article
SN - 0031-9007
VL - 119
JO - Physical Review Letters
JF - Physical Review Letters
IS - 21
M1 - 218001
ER -