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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
Morphological change during crystallization of thin amorphous solid water films on Ru(0001)
Takahiro Kondo1, Hiroyuki S Kato, Mischa Bonn
1Surface Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), 2-1-1 Wako, Hirosawa, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|May 19, 2007
Summary
Amorphous solid water (ASW) films on Ru(0001) crystallize via random nucleation and homogeneous growth. This process exposes the underlying water monolayer to vacuum conditions.
Area of Science:
- Surface science
- Materials science
- Physical chemistry
Background:
- Amorphous solid water (ASW) is relevant to astrophysical environments and planetary science.
- Understanding water crystallization on surfaces is crucial for various scientific disciplines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the real-time isothermal crystallization of thin ASW films on Ru(0001).
- To elucidate the nucleation and growth mechanisms of ASW crystallization.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous application of helium atom scattering (HAS).
- Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS).
- Isothermal temperature-programmed desorption (TPD).
Main Results:
- Crystallization proceeds through random nucleation events within the bulk of the ASW film.
- Homogeneous growth of ice domains follows the nucleation events.
- Morphological changes during crystallization lead to the exposure of the water monolayer at the substrate interface.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a detailed mechanism for ASW crystallization on a metal surface.
- The observed morphological changes have implications for interfacial water behavior.
- This research provides insights into the phase transitions of water ice under specific conditions.
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