scholarly journals Characterizing key features in the formation of ice and gas hydrate systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 377 (2146) ◽  
pp. 20180167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Liang ◽  
Kyle Wm. Hall ◽  
Aatto Laaksonen ◽  
Zhengcai Zhang ◽  
Peter G. Kusalik
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Order Parameters ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Theoretical Modelling ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Molecular Ordering ◽  
Potential Energy Landscapes ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Different Order ◽  
New Framework

Crystallization in liquids is critical to a range of important processes occurring in physics, chemistry and life sciences. In this article, we review our efforts towards understanding the crystallization mechanisms, where we focus on theoretical modelling and molecular simulations applied to ice and gas hydrate systems. We discuss the order parameters used to characterize molecular ordering processes and how different order parameters offer different perspectives of the underlying mechanisms of crystallization. With extensive simulations of water and gas hydrate systems, we have revealed unexpected defective structures and demonstrated their important roles in crystallization processes. Nucleation of gas hydrates can in most cases be characterized to take place in a two-step mechanism where the nucleation occurs via intermediate metastable precursors, which gradually reorganizes to a stable crystalline phase. We have examined the potential energy landscapes explored by systems during nucleation, and have shown that these landscapes are rugged and funnel-shaped. These insights provide a new framework for understanding nucleation phenomena that has not been addressed in classical nucleation theory. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The physics and chemistry of ice: scaffolding across scales, from the viability of life to the formation of planets’.

scholarly journals Analysis of the effect of water activity on ice formation using a new thermodynamic framework

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 7665-7680 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Barahona
Keyword(s):  
Water Activity ◽  
Nucleation Rate ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Solid Matrix ◽  
Effect Of Water ◽  
Thermodynamic Framework ◽  
New Framework

Abstract. In this work a new thermodynamic framework is developed and used to investigate the effect of water activity on the formation of ice within supercooled droplets. The new framework is based on a novel concept where the interface is assumed to be made of liquid molecules "trapped" by the solid matrix. It also accounts for the change in the composition of the liquid phase upon nucleation. Using this framework, new expressions are developed for the critical ice germ size and the nucleation work with explicit dependencies on temperature and water activity. However unlike previous approaches, the new model does not depend on the interfacial tension between liquid and ice. The thermodynamic framework is introduced within classical nucleation theory to study the effect of water activity on the ice nucleation rate. Comparison against experimental results shows that the new approach is able to reproduce the observed effect of water activity on the nucleation rate and the freezing temperature. It allows for the first time a phenomenological derivation of the constant shift in water activity between melting and nucleation. The new framework offers a consistent thermodynamic view of ice nucleation, simple enough to be applied in atmospheric models of cloud formation.

scholarly journals Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Fajun Zhang ◽  
José A. Gavira ◽  
Geun Woo Lee ◽  
Dirk Zahn
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Phase ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Order Parameters ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Supersaturated Solution ◽  
Liquid Phases

Classical nucleation theory (CNT), which was established about 90 years ago, represents the most commonly used theory in describing nucleation processes. For a fluid-to-solid phase transition, CNT states that the solutes in a supersaturated solution reversibly form small clusters. Once a cluster reaches its critical size, it becomes thermodynamically stable and is favored for further growth. One of the most important assumptions of CNT is that the nucleation process is described by one reaction coordinate and all order parameters proceed simultaneously. Recent studies in experiments, computer simulations, and theory have revealed nonclassical features in the early stage of nucleation. In particular, the decoupling of order parameters involved during a fluid-to-solid transition leads to the so-called two-step nucleation mechanism, in which a metastable intermediate phase (MIP) exists in parallel to the initial supersaturated solution and the final crystals. These MIPs can be high-density liquid phases, mesoscopic clusters, or preordered states. In this Special Issue, we focus on the role of the various MIPs in the early stage of crystal nucleation of organic materials, metals and alloys, aqueous solutions, minerals, colloids, and proteins, and thus on various scenarios of nonclassical pathways of crystallization.

scholarly journals Competing nucleation of single- and double-layer Guinier–Preston zones in Al–Cu alloys

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Miyoshi ◽  
Hajime Kimizuka ◽  
Akio Ishii ◽  
Shigenobu Ogata
Keyword(s):  
Double Layer ◽  
Formation Enthalpy ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Critical Conditions ◽  
Precipitation Process ◽  
Cu Alloys ◽  
Engineering Alloys ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractSolid-state precipitation is a key heat-treatment strategy for strengthening engineering alloys. Therefore, predicting the precipitation process of localized solute-rich clusters, such as Guinier–Preston (GP) zones, is necessary. We quantitatively evaluated the critical nucleus size and nucleation barrier of GP zones in Al–Cu alloys, illustrating the precipitation preferences of single-layer (GP1) and double-layer (GP2) GP zones. Based on classical nucleation theory using an effective multi-body potential for dilute Al–Cu systems, our model predicted GP1 and GP2 precipitation sequences at various temperatures and Cu concentrations in a manner consistent with experimental observations. The crossover between formation enthalpy curves of GP1 and GP2 with increasing cluster size determines the critical conditions under which GP2 zones can nucleate without prior formation of GP1 zones. This relationship reflects competing interactions within and between clusters. The results illustrate the underlying mechanisms of competing nucleation between zones, and provide guidance for tailoring aging conditions to achieve desired mechanical properties for specific applications.

scholarly journals Phase-field modeling of grain evolutions in additive manufacturing from nucleation, growth, to coarsening

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Yang ◽  
Lu Wang ◽  
Wentao Yan
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Phase Field ◽  
Field Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Phase Field Model ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Experimental Result ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Validation Experiment ◽  
Powder Particles

AbstractA three-dimensional phase-field model is developed to simulate grain evolutions during powder-bed-fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing, while the physically-informed temperature profile is implemented from a thermal-fluid flow model. The phase-field model incorporates a nucleation model based on classical nucleation theory, as well as the initial grain structures of powder particles and substrate. The grain evolutions during the three-layer three-track PBF process are comprehensively reproduced, including grain nucleation and growth in molten pools, epitaxial growth from powder particles, substrate and previous tracks, grain re-melting and re-growth in overlapping zones, and grain coarsening in heat-affected zones. A validation experiment has been carried out, showing that the simulation results are consistent with the experimental results in the molten pool and grain morphologies. Furthermore, the grain refinement by adding nanoparticles is preliminarily reproduced and compared against the experimental result in literature.

scholarly journals On the Role of Poly-Glutamic Acid in the Early Stages of Iron(III) (Oxy)(hydr)oxide Formation

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 715
Author(s):  
Miodrag J. Lukić ◽  
Felix Lücke ◽  
Teodora Ilić ◽  
Katharina Petrović ◽  
Denis Gebauer
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Phase Separation ◽  
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy ◽  
Fourier Transform Infrared ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Oxide Formation ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Titration Assay

Nucleation of minerals in the presence of additives is critical for achieving control over the formation of solids in biomineralization processes or during syntheses of advanced hybrid materials. Herein, we investigated the early stages of Fe(III) (oxy)(hydr)oxide formation with/without polyglutamic acid (pGlu) at low driving force for phase separation (pH 2.0 to 3.0). We employed an advanced pH-constant titration assay, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis with mass spectrometry, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Three stages were observed: initial binding, stabilization of Fe(III) pre-nucleation clusters (PNCs), and phase separation, yielding Fe(III) (oxy)(hydr)oxide. The data suggest that organic–inorganic interactions occurred via binding of olation Fe(III) PNC species. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed a plausible interaction motif and a conformational adaptation of the polypeptide. The stabilization of the aqueous Fe(III) system against nucleation by pGlu contrasts with the previously reported influence of poly-aspartic acid (pAsp). While this is difficult to explain based on classical nucleation theory, alternative notions such as the so-called PNC pathway provide a possible rationale. Developing a nucleation theory that successfully explains and predicts distinct influences for chemically similar additives like pAsp and pGlu is the Holy Grail toward advancing the knowledge of nucleation, early growth, and structure formation.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Acoustic Cavitation Thresholds of Water Based on the Incubation Time Criterion Approach

Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 134
Author(s):  
Ivan Smirnov ◽  
Natalia Mikhailova
Keyword(s):  
Incubation Time ◽  
Dynamic Strength ◽  
Acoustic Cavitation ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Ultrasound Frequency ◽  
Time Criterion ◽  
Good Potential ◽  
Cavitation Threshold

Researchers are still working on the development of models that facilitate the accurate estimation of acoustic cavitation threshold. In this paper, we have analyzed the possibility of using the incubation time criterion to calculate the threshold of the onset of acoustic cavitation depending on the ultrasound frequency, hydrostatic pressure, and temperature of a liquid. This criterion has been successfully used by earlier studies to calculate the dynamic strength of solids and has recently been proposed in an adapted version for calculating the cavitation threshold. The analysis is carried out for various experimental data for water presented in the literature. Although the criterion assumes the use of macroparameters of a liquid, we also considered the possibility of taking into account the size of cavitation nuclei and its influence on the calculation result. We compared the results of cavitation threshold calculations done using the incubation time criterion of cavitation and the classical nucleation theory. Our results showed that the incubation time criterion more qualitatively models the results of experiments using only three parameters of the liquid. We then discussed a possible relationship between the parameters of the two approaches. The results of our study showed that the criterion under consideration has a good potential and can be conveniently used for applications where there are special requirements for ultrasound parameters, maximum negative pressure, and liquid temperature.

scholarly journals Homogeneous Freezing of Water Using Microfluidics

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Mark D. Tarn ◽  
Sebastien N. F. Sikora ◽  
Grace C. E. Porter ◽  
Jung-uk Shim ◽  
Benjamin J. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Recent Theory ◽  
Water Droplets ◽  
Microfluidic Platforms ◽  
High Throughput Method ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
New Instrumentation ◽  
Controlled Environments ◽  
Homogeneous Freezing

The homogeneous freezing of water is important in the formation of ice in clouds, but there remains a great deal of variability in the representation of the homogeneous freezing of water in the literature. The development of new instrumentation, such as droplet microfluidic platforms, may help to constrain our understanding of the kinetics of homogeneous freezing via the analysis of monodisperse, size-selected water droplets in temporally and spatially controlled environments. Here, we evaluate droplet freezing data obtained using the Lab-on-a-Chip Nucleation by Immersed Particle Instrument (LOC-NIPI), in which droplets are generated and frozen in continuous flow. This high-throughput method was used to analyse over 16,000 water droplets (86 μm diameter) across three experimental runs, generating data with high precision and reproducibility that has largely been unrepresented in the microfluidic literature. Using this data, a new LOC-NIPI parameterisation of the volume nucleation rate coefficient (JV(T)) was determined in the temperature region of −35.1 to −36.9 °C, covering a greater JV(T) compared to most other microfluidic techniques thanks to the number of droplets analysed. Comparison to recent theory suggests inconsistencies in the theoretical representation, further implying that microfluidics could be used to inform on changes to parameterisations. By applying classical nucleation theory (CNT) to our JV(T) data, we have gone a step further than other microfluidic homogeneous freezing examples by calculating the stacking-disordered ice–supercooled water interfacial energy, estimated to be 22.5 ± 0.7 mJ m−2, again finding inconsistencies when compared to theoretical predictions. Further, we briefly review and compile all available microfluidic homogeneous freezing data in the literature, finding that the LOC-NIPI and other microfluidically generated data compare well with commonly used non-microfluidic datasets, but have generally been obtained with greater ease and with higher numbers of monodisperse droplets.

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