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  • Open Access

Self-Propulsion via Nontransitive Phase Coexistence in Chemically Active Mixtures

Yicheng Qiang, Chengjie Luo, and David Zwicker*

  • *Contact author: david.zwicker@ds.mpg.de
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 268301 – Published 24 December, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7n1c-2m5g

Abstract

Chemical activity is central in active matter, where local fuel consumption can lead to self-propulsion and phase separation. However, phase separation can also originate from passive physical interactions. To understand the influence of chemical activity on phase separation, we study mixtures where solvent species interconvert while solutes segregate. We demonstrate that such reactions affect phase separation by altering the chemical potential balance and by introducing an osmotic pressure difference at interfaces. However, the system does not permit a pseudopressure balance, and bulk compositions depend on which phases are in contact. Consequently, phase coexistence is no longer transitive, which enables self-propulsion and more complex dynamics.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 268301– Published 24 December, 2025
  • Received 13 August 2025
  • Accepted 5 December 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Open access publication funded by the Max Planck Society.

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