Critical Phenomena in Silica Gel

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9320726 Cannell Technical abstract: This Condensed Matter Physics project used light scattering and thermodynamic measurements to study the effectd of quenched impurities on critical phenomena and phase separations in fluids containing two components. The quenched impurities are gel structures of dilute rigid silica networks. The large surface area of these networks influence the equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties of fluids that are entrained in these gel structures. The behavior of binary fluids in these gels are studied by static and dynamic light scattering, as well as calorimetry. The combination of thermodynamic and scattering measurements on controlled samples should add considerable to our understanding of the effects of porous materials on liquid systems, as well as to the broader issue of their effects on phase in other systems. Non-technical abstract: This Condensed Matter Physics employs light scattering and thermodynamic measurements to study the effects of quenched impurities on critical phenomena and phase separations in fluids containing two components. The quenched impurities are gel structures of dilute rigid silica networks. When fluids fill the interstitices between the gel strands, their equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties are modified by the large surface area of the gel network. The behavior of binary fluids in these gels are studied by static and dynamic light scattering, as well as calorimetry. The combination of thermodynamic and scattering measurements on controlled samples should add considerable to our understanding of the effects of porous materials on liquid systems, as well as to the broader issue of their effects on phase in other systems. For example, there are many instances in nature where fluids, such as oil, are entrained in high surface are solids, such as shale. This fundamental study may provide information relevant to these technologically important systems. ***