Pattern formation in a two-dimensional two-species diffusion model with anisotropic nonlinear diffusivities: a lattice approach

Abstract

Diffusion in a two-species 2D system has been simulated using a lattice approach. Rodlike particles were considered as linear $k$-mers of two mutually perpendicular orientations ($k_x$- and $k_y$-mers) on a square lattice. These $k_x$- and $k_y$-mers were treated as species of two kinds. A random sequential adsorption model was used to produce an initial homogeneous distribution of $k$-mers. The concentration of $k$-mers, $p$, was varied in the range from 0.1 to the jamming concentration, $p_j$. By means of the Monte Carlo technique, translational diffusion of the $k$-mers was simulated as a random walk, while rotational diffusion was ignored. We demonstrated that the diffusion coefficients are strongly anisotropic and nonlinearly concentration-dependent. For sufficiently large concentrations (packing densities) and $k\ge 6$, the system tends toward a well-organized steady state. Boundary conditions (BC) predetermine the final state of the system. When periodic BCs are applied along both directions of the square lattice, the system tends to a steady state in the form of diagonal stripes. The formation of stripe domains takes longer time the larger the lattice size, and is observed only for concentrations above a particular critical value. When insulating (zero flux) BCs are applied along both directions of the square lattice, each kind of $k$-mer tries to completely occupy a half of the lattice divided by a diagonal, e.g., $k_x$-mers locate in the upper left corner, while the $k_y$-mers are situated in the lower right corner ("yin-yang" pattern). From time to time, regions built of $k_x$- and $k_y$-mers exchange their locations through irregular patterns. When mixed BCs are used (periodic BCs are applied along one direction whereas insulating BCs are applied along the other one), the system still tends to form the stripes, but they are unstable and change their spatial orientation.

18 pages, 9 figures, 24 references

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Diffusion dynamics and steady states of systems of hard rods on the square lattice
• Characterization of domain formation during random sequential adsorption of stiff linear $k$-mers onto a square lattice
• Characterisation of diffusion-driven self-organisation of rodlike particles by means of entropy of generalised two-dimensional words
• Monte Carlo simulation of entropy-driven pattern formation in two-dimensional system of rectangular particles
• Impact of packing fraction on diffusion-driven pattern formation in a two-dimensional system of rod-like particles