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Surface-induced water crystallisation driven by precursors formed in negative pressure regions

Author

Listed:
  • Gang Sun

    (The University of Tokyo
    Beijing Normal University)

  • Hajime Tanaka

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

Ice nucleation is a crucial process in nature and industries; however, the role of the free surface of water in this process remains unclear. To address this, we investigate the microscopic freezing process using brute-force molecular dynamics simulations. We discover that the free surface assists ice nucleation through an unexpected mechanism. The surface-induced negative pressure enhances the formation of local structures with a ring topology characteristic of Ice 0-like symmetry, promoting ice nucleation despite the symmetry differing from ordinary ice crystals. Unlike substrate-induced nucleation via water-solid interactions that occurs directly on the surface, this negative-pressure-induced mechanism promotes ice nucleation slightly inward the surface. Our findings provide a molecular-level understanding of the mechanism and pathway behind free-surface-induced ice formation, resolving the longstanding debate. The implications of our discoveries are of substantial importance in areas such as cloud formation, food technology, and other fields where ice nucleation plays a pivotal role.

Suggested Citation

  • Gang Sun & Hajime Tanaka, 2024. "Surface-induced water crystallisation driven by precursors formed in negative pressure regions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-50188-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50188-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thorsten Bartels-Rausch, 2013. "Ten things we need to know about ice and snow," Nature, Nature, vol. 494(7435), pages 27-29, February.
    2. Runze Ma & Duanyun Cao & Chongqin Zhu & Ye Tian & Jinbo Peng & Jing Guo & Ji Chen & Xin-Zheng Li & Joseph S. Francisco & Xiao Cheng Zeng & Li-Mei Xu & En-Ge Wang & Ying Jiang, 2020. "Atomic imaging of the edge structure and growth of a two-dimensional hexagonal ice," Nature, Nature, vol. 577(7788), pages 60-63, January.
    3. Tianshu Li & Davide Donadio & Giulia Galli, 2013. "Ice nucleation at the nanoscale probes no man’s land of water," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, October.
    4. Marcia B. Baker & Thomas Peter, 2008. "Small-scale cloud processes and climate," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7176), pages 299-300, January.
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