Spinodal

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-011217",
  "term": "Spinodal",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A boundary on a phase diagram that delineates the region where a single-phase system becomes thermodynamically unstable with respect to infinitesimal fluctuations in composition. Within the spinodal region, phase separation occurs spontaneously through a process called spinodal decomposition, leading to the formation of interconnected, co-continuous phases. This contrasts with nucleation and growth, which occurs in the metastable region between the binodal and spinodal.",
  "subject": "Polymer",
  "see_also": [
    "phase domain",
    "phase separation",
    "spinodal decomposition",
    "unstable"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2004, 76, 1985. 'Definition of terms related to polymer blends, composites, and multiphase polymeric materials (IUPAC Recommendations 2004)' on page 1998 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200476111985)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/spinodal/"
}