Adding attraction to glass-forming liquids makes them stronger and more versatile.
The study looked at how the thickness, density, and atomic interactions in liquids affect how they turn into glass. By using computer simulations, the researchers found that the thickness of the repulsive part of atomic interactions can change how easily a liquid turns into glass. They discovered three different regions with different behaviors: one where softer interactions make stronger glasses, another where thickness doesn't matter but density does, and a third where thickness and density don't change fragility. Adding nonperturbative attraction can make a glass more fragile. The researchers also found that adding attractive interactions can change how fragile a glass is, based on its structure.