Spinodal decomposition in binary fluids under shear flow

Abstract

We discuss the effects of shear rates on the structure, rheology and kinetics of phase separation in binary fluids through numerical Langevin simulations in both two- and three-dimensions. Our major findings are as follows: (1) shear flow distorts the isotropy properties in normal spinodal decomposition. Under stronger shear, a string phase appears; (2) domains grow differently in directions parallel and perpendicular to the flow direction; (3) excess shear viscosities due to shear flow have a characteristic peak as a function of shear rates. We compare our findings with the experimental data and simulation results which do not incorporate hydrodynamics.