Slow dynamics in a primitive tetrahedral network model

Abstract

We report extensive Monte Carlo and event-driven molecular dynamics simulations of the fluid and liquid phase of a primitive model for silica recently introduced by Ford, Auerbach and Monson [J. Chem. Phys. 17, 8415 (2004)]. We evaluate the iso-diffusivity lines in the temperature-density plane to provide an indication of the shape of the glass transition line. Except for large densities, arrest is driven by the onset of the tetrahedral bonding pattern and the resulting dynamics is strong in the Angell's classification scheme. We compare structural and dynamic properties with corresponding results of two recently studied primitive models of network forming liquids -- a primitive model for water and a angular-constraint free model of four-coordinated particles -- to pin down the role of the geometric constraints associated to the bonding. Eventually we discuss the similarities between "glass" formation in network forming liquids and "gel" formation in colloidal dispersions of patchy particles.

9 pages, 10 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Phase diagram of patchy colloids: towards empty liquids
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• Mode-coupling theory predictions for a limited valency attractive square-well model

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Colloidal Gels: Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Routes
• Strong pressure-energy correlations in van der Waals liquids
• Theoretical and numerical study of the phase diagram of patchy colloids: ordered and disordered patch arrangements
• On the possibility of extending the Nore-Frenkel generalized law of correspondent states to non-isotropic patchy interactions
• Gel-forming patchy colloids and network glass formers: Thermodynamic and Dynamic analogies
• A spherical model with directional interactions: I. Static properties