Poster: Effect of chemical reaction on phase separating fluids: insight from DPD simulation study

We present dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation results of a phase-separating binary (AB) simple fluid (SF) in d=3 with the inclusion of a chemical reaction A⇌B between two constituents of AB mixture co-occur with phase separation. The system exhibits a dynamic interplay due to the competition between the chemical reaction and the interfacial drive, causing phase separation. The chemical reaction tends to mix the AB mixture randomly, promoting homogeneity. In contrast, the interfacial drive of the system encourages phase separation, causing the AB mixture to segregate into distinct regions. This competition results in a complex balance where the extent of mixing and separation depends on the relative strengths and rates of the chemical reaction and the interfacial forces. Understanding this balance is crucial for predicting and controlling the behavior of the AB mixture under various conditions. With equal forward and backward reaction rates, k+/k-, we get the steady state average domain size R(t). We investigate this system with different reaction rates. The morphology of the segregated system is characterized using radial distribution functions, correlation functions, structure factors, and growth laws. The domain size follows a power law relationship: R(t) ~ t^φ , where the dynamic growth exponent is denoted as φ.