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Rounded Layering Transitions on the Surface of Ice
Pablo Llombart1,2, Eva G Noya2, David N Sibley3
1Departamento de Química-Física (Unidad de I+D+i Asociada al CSIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Physical Review Letters
|February 29, 2020
Summary
This study characterizes premelting films on ice, finding no thermodynamic layering transitions due to fluctuations. However, a first-order phase transition to thicker films is predicted at higher pressures.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Surface Science
- Materials Science
Background:
- Wetting properties of premelting films are crucial but lack equations of state.
- Thermodynamic characterization of premelting behavior on ice is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the disjoining pressure curve of premelting films.
- To thermodynamically characterize premelting behavior on ice.
- To investigate layering phenomena and phase transitions in premelting films.
Main Methods:
- Calculation of disjoining pressure curves.
- Analysis of density profiles.
- Application of renormalized mean field liquid state theory.
- Investigation of capillary wave fluctuations.
Main Results:
- Weak layering phenomena observed in density profiles (1-3 molecular layers).
- No thermodynamic layering phase transitions found along the sublimation line.
- Transitions at the mean field level are rounded by capillary wave fluctuations.
- Signatures of potential first-order layering transitions at low temperatures.
- Extrapolation predicts a first-order phase transition from thin to thick films above water-vapor saturation.
Conclusions:
- Premelting films on ice exhibit complex behavior influenced by fluctuations.
- Capillary wave fluctuations round mean-field transitions, preventing thermodynamic layering transitions under certain conditions.
- A distinct first-order phase transition to thicker films is predicted, aligning with experimental findings.
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