Monte Carlo simulation of a binary mixture on the surface of a sphere: lateral phase transition and pattern formation

Abstract

A two-component mixture of particles constrained to move on the surface of a sphere is studied here by using Monte Carlo simulations. An attractive/repulsive central potential characterises the interaction model. Clusterisation, fragmentation and different pattern formation are obtained for different potential parameters. The Monte Carlo experiments on this quasi bidimensional model give results which are in qualitative agreement with some recent experiments developed in order to evaluate lateral transitions in coated nanoparticles and giant lamellar vesicles of phospholipids.

Keywords:

• Monte Carlo
• confined system
• cluster formation

Acknowledgements

This work was partially supported by Universidad Nacional de La Plata and CICPBA. G.J.Z. is member of ‘Carrera del Investigador Científico’, CICPBA.