Effect of solute on the nucleation and propagation of ice

Using the emulsion technique, we have studied nucleation of ice in aqueous solutions containing silver iodide or Pseudomonas syringae. Using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), we determined characteristic temperatures of nucleation, and also rates of nucleation at selected temperatures. The freezing point depression induced by added solute is linearly related to the lowering of both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation temperature. Nucleation kinetics depend on a fifth power function of the temperature. Solute is found to affect the parameters of this relationship in different ways, dependent upon the nature of the catalytic site for ice nucleation. We have also studied the effect of composition on the linear propagation velocity (LPV) of ice in undercooled solutions contained in a U-tube. We have determined velocities in a range of concentrations of sugar solution at the same undercooling, and also as a function of undercooling. The role of added polymer has also been investigated. It is affected by the sugar concentration.