Complex topologies in phase separated droplets predicted from universal phase diagram

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Kumar, Amit, Karpen, Gary H., Safran, Samuel A.
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Kumar, Amit
Karpen, Gary H.
Safran, Samuel A.
author_facet Kumar, Amit
Karpen, Gary H.
Safran, Samuel A.
contents Phase separation of two phase separating solutes in a common solvent can result in mesoscale (micron-sized) droplets with complex topologies of the domains of each solute within each droplet. Such topologies have been observed in-vitro in systems of chromatin oligomers, biomolecular condensates, and polymeric mixtures. In these systems the solutes phase separate from the solvent into droplets due to the relatively large free energy gain, which includes the energies and entropies of mixing with the solvent. Within each droplet, further phase separation can occur between the two solutes due to an additional free energy difference that promotes their demixing; in some systems, the extent of demixing can be, in some cases, be modulated by an additional component. The minimal free energy topologies are predicted as universal functions of the interfacial tension ratios and fractions of each solute within a droplet. We compare the predictions with several experimental systems to estimate the ranges of interfacial tensions. Experimental aspects that may depend on the kinetics or molecular weight variations in the system are also discussed.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_22860
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Complex topologies in phase separated droplets predicted from universal phase diagram
Kumar, Amit
Karpen, Gary H.
Safran, Samuel A.
Soft Condensed Matter
Phase separation of two phase separating solutes in a common solvent can result in mesoscale (micron-sized) droplets with complex topologies of the domains of each solute within each droplet. Such topologies have been observed in-vitro in systems of chromatin oligomers, biomolecular condensates, and polymeric mixtures. In these systems the solutes phase separate from the solvent into droplets due to the relatively large free energy gain, which includes the energies and entropies of mixing with the solvent. Within each droplet, further phase separation can occur between the two solutes due to an additional free energy difference that promotes their demixing; in some systems, the extent of demixing can be, in some cases, be modulated by an additional component. The minimal free energy topologies are predicted as universal functions of the interfacial tension ratios and fractions of each solute within a droplet. We compare the predictions with several experimental systems to estimate the ranges of interfacial tensions. Experimental aspects that may depend on the kinetics or molecular weight variations in the system are also discussed.
title Complex topologies in phase separated droplets predicted from universal phase diagram
topic Soft Condensed Matter
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.22860