BINARY-SYSTEM OF NETWORK-FORMING FLUID - STUDY OF PHASE-STABILITY THROUGH AN ANALYTICAL SOLUTION OF THE PERCUS-YEVICK EQUATION

Phase equilibria of a binary mixture of equal-sized network forming fl uid (hard sphere diameters D-[a] = D-[b]) with associative forces betw een like species and hard sphere repulsion between unlike species are determined using an analytical solution of the associative Percus-Yevi ck integral equation. The theory shows how occurrence of coexistence l ines correlates with the interparticle potential parameters, density a nd composition of the system. The phase behavior of the system with va rying degrees and symmetry of association is studied. Namely, immiscib ility curves for the mixture of chains and network-forming fluid are b uilt and discussed. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-960 6(98)51444-4].