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Modelling the effect of acoustic waves on nucleation.
S R Haqshenas1, I J Ford2, N Saffari1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|July 17, 2016
Summary
High intensity ultrasound waves influence phase transformations. This study developed a Gibbs droplet model to analyze pressure and temperature effects on nucleation kinetics, showing size-dependent pressure impacts, outperforming classical nucleation theory.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Phase transformations in metastable phases can be altered by high-intensity ultrasound.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for controlling material properties and processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of pressure and temperature oscillations on phase transformations using a generic Gibbs droplet model.
- To validate the model against experimental data for water droplet formation.
- To determine the thermodynamics and kinetics of nucleation and early cluster growth during isothermal sonocrystallisation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a generic Gibbs droplet model applicable to equilibrium and non-equilibrium clusters.
- Validation of the model by comparing predicted water droplet formation kinetics with experimental data.
- Application of the model to analyze isothermal sonocrystallisation processes.
Main Results:
- The developed Gibbs droplet model showed better agreement with experimental data than classical nucleation theory.
- The study revealed that pressure's effect on nucleation kinetics is cluster size-dependent under sonocrystallisation conditions.
- The model accurately predicts nucleation and early growth stages of clusters.
Conclusions:
- The Gibbs droplet model provides a robust framework for studying ultrasound-affected phase transformations.
- Ultrasound significantly impacts nucleation kinetics, with pressure effects being size-dependent, a finding not predicted by classical nucleation theory.
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