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The Functionalized Cahn-Hilliard free Energy models
network formation in polymer electrlolyte membranes and other amphiphilic materials.
It balances solvation energy of ionic groups, counter-ion entropy, and elastic
deformation of backbone polymer.
The image at right red shows the development of network structures from random initial data.
At middle left is a similar simulation in 3D, from a pore-driven region of parameter space, and at
middle right is a still image with a higher volume fraction of solvent phase. At bottom
left is a 2D simulation of the instabilities of a spherical drop. Blue indicates regions of high
solvent (water) content and red (or clear in 3D) indicates regions of polymer phase.
The flow maximizes surface area while minimizing bending moments.
Simulations in 3D courtesy of A. Christlieb, J. Jones, and Z. Xu. Image compression
by S. Promislow. |
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