Phase behaviour of rod-like colloid + flexible polymer mixtures

Abstract

The effect of non-adsorbing, flexible polymer on the isotropic-nematic transition in dispersions of rod-like colloids is investigated. A widening of the biphasic gap is observed, in combination with a marked polymer partitioning between the coexisting phases. Under certain conditions, areas of isotropicisotropic- nematic or isotropic-nematic-nematic three-phase coexistence appear in the phase diagram of rod-polymer mixtures.