Equilibrium phase diagram of suspensions of electrically stabilized colloidal particles

A second-order perturbation theory based on statistical thermodynamics is employed to calculate the phase diagram of suspensions of charge-stabilized, monodisperse, spherical, colloidal particles that are assumed to interact by a standard DLVO potential. Taking into account van der Waals forces, the phase diagram consists of an ordered colloidal crystal, a disordered fluid phase, and a liquid phase that is formed by particles flocculated into the secondary minimum.