Criticality in polar fluids

A model of polar fluid is studied theoretically. The interaction potential, in addition to dipole–dipole term, possesses a dispersion contribution of the van der Waals–London form. It is found that when the dispersion force is comparable to dipole–dipole interaction, the fluid separates into coexisting liquid and gas phases. The calculated critical parameters are in excellent agreement with Monte Carlo simulations. When the strength of dispersion attraction is below critical, no phase separation is found.