Novel mesophase behavior in two-dimensional binary solid solutions

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations were used to study the assembly of binary mixtures of hard disks with squares, where the components have size ratios that optimize their co-assembly into compositionally disordered solids. It is observed that, along with the enhanced regions of solid miscibility, a continuous-looking transition from the disk-like to the square-like behavior occurred through a novel mosaic (M) phase, which seamlessly bridges the regions of hexatic mesophase of disks and the tetratic mesophase of squares. The M phase has interspersed tetratic, hexatic, and rhombic-like locally ordered clusters.