4.2 Ellipsoids and spheres

Binary mixtures of hard ellipsoids and spheres were investigated by Samborski und Evans (1994). The relative volumes of the particles varied between $V_{HK}/V_{HE}=0.1$ and $1$, the elongation of the ellipsoids being in the range $e=3$ to $10$.

The study focussed on demixing and the isotropic-nematic transition; no search for an eventual smectic phase.

Results:

• No demixing in the isotropic phase
• At higher density transition I -> N with simultaneous partial demixing
• The demixing is more pronounced when the sphere volume increases