Mathematical modeling and computational simulation of phase separation in ternary mixtures

In this study, a phase field model for ternary partially miscible mixture is derived by extending an existing model for binary mixture. Particularly, a fourth-order free energy function for binary mixture is extended to a ternary model in such a way that the ternary model is dynamically and algebraically consistent with the binary model. The ternary model is employed to study the phase separation dynamics of ternary mixtures under initial still conditions. The scaling of domain size growth, d∝τ1/3, is always obeyed, which appears at the late stage of the phase separation. The scaling law can appear relatively earlier if one phase is totally spreading between two other phases.