of mixing is obtained by counting the number of all the possible configurations of
the polymer-solvent system on the lattice, while the enthalpy of mixing is obtained
by accounting for all the nearest neighbors’ interactions, with χ being the interac-
tion parameter. The entropy of mixing is always positive and thus always favors
mixing, however it is small for large polymer molecules. For certain values of χ corre-
sponding to unfavorable interactions between the polymer and solvent molecules, the
enthalpy of mixing becomes sufficiently positive, and the system exhibits liquid-liquid
(L-L) immiscibility characterized by a upper critical solution temperature (UCST).
Another interesting liquid-liquid immiscibility is commonly observed in polymer sys-
tems, where the single liquid phase becomes unstable on increasing the temperature
in the direction of the critical point of the solvent. The lowest temperature at which
the two-phase (L-L) region appears is referred to as the lower critical solution tem-
perature (LCST). LCST behavior occurs in polymer solutions due to the difference
in free volume or compressibility of the polymer and solvent molecules [11, 12, 13].
Consequently, Flory-Huggins theory, which assumes incompressibility, cannot predict
the LCST behavior in polymer solutions. Phenomenological approaches have been
introduced to describe polymer solutions with a LCST in Flory-Huggins approach
by defining an empirical temperature, composition, and even pressure dependence on
the χ parameter [14, 15, 16, 17, 18].
Other more fundamental approaches, such as the lattice cell models and lattice
hole models, aim to incorporate compressibility in the lattice model. In lattice cell
10
More intriguing information
1. Notes on an Endogenous Growth Model with two Capital Stocks II: The Stochastic Case2. The name is absent
3. Stakeholder Activism, Managerial Entrenchment, and the Congruence of Interests between Shareholders and Stakeholders
4. The name is absent
5. DEVELOPING COLLABORATION IN RURAL POLICY: LESSONS FROM A STATE RURAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
6. The name is absent
7. Imputing Dairy Producers' Quota Discount Rate Using the Individual Export Milk Program in Quebec
8. The name is absent
9. L'organisation en réseau comme forme « indéterminée »
10. Spatial agglomeration and business groups: new evidence from Italian industrial districts