Supramolecular ensembles in eutectic alloys

The main concepts of the theory of eutectics are analysed. The most essential results of investigations on eutectic alloys of inorganic compounds are surveyed. Evidence in favour of the supramolecular concept of eutectics is presented. This concept takes into account interactions of incommensurate substructures and gives an insight into the mechanisms of formation of supramolecular eutectic assemblies in boundary regions ('non-autonomous phases'). Using the static one-dimensional Frenkel — Kontorova model for finite systems, it is shown that the consideration of these mechanisms in terms of supramolecular chemistry simplifies analysis of the behaviour of inorganic eutectic systems in the course of crystallisation under conditions both close to and far from equilibrium, including crystallization upon quenching and under external actions. The supramolecular concept bridges gaps between the definitions 'compound', 'eutectic' and 'solution' in physicochemical analysis.