https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-026-15674-4
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Phase transition and critical phenomena of charged Einstein–Maxwell-scalar black holes
1
School of Physics and Technology, University of Jinan, 336 West Road of Nan Xinzhuang, 250022, Jinan, Shandong, China
2
School of Physics and Electronic Information, Weifang University, 261061, Weifang, China
a
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Received:
4
June
2025
Accepted:
7
April
2026
Published online:
3
May
2026
Abstract
We study the phase transition and critical phenomenon of charged black holes in Einstein–Maxwell-scalar (EMs) theory. Through comprehensive analysis of thermodynamic behaviors manifested in 
diagrams, G(T, P) surfaces, and 
curves, we establish that these black holes exhibit van der Waals-type phase transition behavior. The derived critical exponents governing the phase transition show precise correspondence with both van der Waals gas-liquid systems, reinforcing the connection between black hole thermodynamics and mean field theory statistics. The findings reveal a crucial dependence of phase transition properties on the scalar charge parameter. A critical threshold emerges where phase transitions become prohibited when scalar charge exceeds a specific magnitude. However, the transition persists asymptotically as scalar charge approaches zero. The analysis further demonstrates nonlinear relationships between scalar charge and critical parameters: while small scalar charges induce increasing critical volume with charge magnitude, larger values produce an inverse trend. Critical temperature displays complementary behavior, maintaining monotonic variation under certain conditions while exhibiting inverse correlation with critical volume in others. Significantly, the transition points governing critical volume and temperature trends occur at distinct scalar charge values for different black holes, indicating a non-trivial parameter dependence. These results highlight the scalar charge’s dual role as both an enabler and suppressor of phase transitions in EMs black holes, providing new insights into the interplay between geometric configurations and thermodynamic properties in general relativity with non-minimally coupled Maxwell field.
© The Author(s) 2026
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