lower critical solution temperature

initialism: LCST
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.12244
Critical temperature below which a mixture is miscible at any composition.
Notes:
  1. The LCST depends upon pressure and the molar-mass distribution functions of the constituent polymer(s).
  2. For a mixture containing or consisting of polymeric components, these may be different polymers or species of different molar mass of the same polymer.
  3. The LCST occurs near the minimum on the cloud point curve.
  4. An LCST exists for mixtures in which solubility decreases with temperature.
  5. The occurrence of an LSCT is less common than that of an upper critical solution temperature. It cannot be explained by simple polymer solution theories, such as the Flory–Huggins theory. However, it occurs for several polymer/solvent pairs and frequently for polymer blends.
Source:
PAC, 2015, 87, 71. (Definitions of terms relating to individual macromolecules, macromolecular assemblies, polymer solutions, and amorphous bulk polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2014)) on page 97 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'lower critical solution temperature' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.12244 RIS BibTex EndNote
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