R. Casalini

Supercooled dynamics of glass-forming liquids and polymers under hydrostatic pressure

An intriguing problem in condensed matter physics is understanding the glass transition, in particular the dynamics in the equilibrium liquid close to vitrification. Recent advances have been made by using hydrostatic pressure as an experimental variable. These results are reviewed, with an emphasis in the insight provided into the mechanisms underlying the relaxation properties of glass-forming liquids and polymers.

Thermodynamical scaling of the glass transition dynamics

Classification of glass-forming liquids based on the dramatic change in their properties upon approach to the glassy state is appealing, since this is the most conspicuous and often-studied aspect of the glass transition. Herein, we show that a generalized scaling, log (tau) proportional, variant T-1 V-gamma, where gamma is a material constant, yields superpositioning for ten glass formers, encompassing van der Waals molecules, associated liquids, and polymers. The exponent gamma reflects the degree to which volume governs the temperature and pressure dependence of the relaxation times.

Thermodynamic scaling of the viscosity of van der Waals, H-bonded, and ionic liquids

Viscosities eta and their temperature T and volume V dependences are reported for seven molecular liquids and polymers. In combination with literature viscosity data for five other liquids, we show that the superpositioning of relaxation times for various glass-forming materials when expressed as a function of TV(gamma), where the exponent gamma is a material constant, can be extended to the viscosity. The latter is usually measured to higher temperatures than the corresponding relaxation times, demonstrating the validity of the thermodynamic scaling throughout the supercooled and higher T regimes. The value of gamma for a given liquid principally reflects the magnitude of the intermolecular forces (e.g., steepness of the repulsive potential); thus, we find decreasing gamma in going from van der Waals fluids to ionic liquids. For some strongly H-bonded materials, such as low molecular weight polypropylene glycol and water, the superpositioning fails, due to the nontrivial change of chemical structure (degree of H bonding) with thermodynamic conditions.

Thermodynamic interpretation of the scaling of the dynamics of supercooled liquids.

The recently discovered scaling law for the relaxation times, tau(T,upsilon) = I(Tupsilon(gamma)), where T is temperature and upsilon the specific volume, is derived by a revision of the entropy model of the glass transition dynamics originally proposed by Avramov [J. Non-Cryst. Solids 262, 258 (2000)]. In this modification the entropy is calculated by an alternative route. The resulting expression for the variation of the relaxation time with T and upsilon is shown to accurately fit experimental data for several glass-forming liquids and polymers over an extended range encompassing the dynamic crossover. From this analysis, which is valid for any model in which the relaxation time is a function of the entropy, we find that the scaling exponent gamma can be identified with the Gruneisen constant.The recently discovered scaling law for the relaxation times, tau=f(T,V^g), where T is temperature and V the specific volume, is derived by a revision of the entropy model of the glass transition dynamics originally proposed by Avramov [I. Avramov, J. Non-Cryst. Solids 262, 258 (2000).]. In this modification the entropy is calculated by an alternative route, while retaining the approximation that the heat capacity is constant with T and P. The resulting expression for the variation of the relaxation time with T and V is shown to accurately fit experimental data for several glass-forming liquids and polymers over an extended range encompassing the dynamic crossover. From this analysis, which is valid for any model in which the relaxation time is a function of the entropy. we find that the scaling exponent g can be identified with the Gruneisen constant.

Scaling of the supercooled dynamics and its relation to the pressure dependences of the dynamic crossover and the fragility of glass formers

Master curves of the relaxation time,

Temperature dependence of local segmental motion in polystyrene and its variation with molecular weight

\ensuremath{\tau}

An equation for the description of volume and temperature dependences of the dynamics of supercooled liquids and polymer melts

, or viscosity,

Effect of pressure on the α relaxation in glycerol and xylitol

\ensuremath{\eta}

Isochronal temperature-pressure superpositioning of the α-relaxation in type-A glass formers

, versus

Dynamic crossover in supercooled liquids induced by high pressure

{T}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{V}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}}