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Electrofreezing of Liquid Ammonia
Giuseppe Cassone1, Jiri Sponer2,3, Judit E Sponer2
1Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, National Research Council of Italy, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy.
Applying electric fields to ammonia induces electrofreezing, creating a novel ferroelectric solid phase. This demonstrates electric fields as a key to accessing new condensed-phase structures and has practical implications.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- The phase diagram of ammonia is typically explored using temperature and pressure.
- Understanding condensed-phase structures is crucial for various scientific and industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of electric fields on the thermodynamic phase diagram of ammonia.
- To explore the potential of electric fields in accessing novel condensed-phase structures.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing path integral ab initio molecular dynamics simulations.
- Applying intense electric fields to liquid ammonia.
Main Results:
- Observed the electrofreezing phenomenon in ammonia under intense electric fields.
- Predicted the formation of a novel ferroelectric solid phase of ammonia.
- Demonstrated that electric fields can unlock previously unreachable regions of phase diagrams.
Conclusions:
- Electric fields are a significant thermodynamic variable for exploring phase diagrams.
- Electrofreezing offers a pathway to new condensed-phase structures, including ferroelectric solids.
- Findings have implications for ammonia storage, transportation, and planetary science.
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