Phase separation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-008747",
  "term": "Phase separation",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "Splitting of a single homogeneous solid or liquid mixture into two or more phases of different composition, because the mixed state has a higher Gibbs energy than the separated phases. It occurs in polymer blends, emulsions, alloys and glasses, by nucleation and growth in metastable mixtures or by spinodal decomposition in unstable ones.",
  "subject": "Inorganic Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 577. 'Definitions of terms relating to phase transitions of the solid state (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 588 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466030577)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/phase-separation/"
}