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The effect of solvent surface tension on surface freezing in n-alkane solutions
Eric B Sirota1, Jennifer E Shanoski2
1Energy Sciences Division, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Route 22 East, Annandale, New Jersey 08801, USA.
Abstract:
Surface freezing was investigated in solutions of the n-alkane docosane, as a function of concentration, using solvents of both higher and lower surface tension (γ). The solvents of higher γ enhance the thermodynamic stability and thus the temperature range of the surface crystalline phase (ΔT), while lower γ decreases ΔT. This directional dependence is consistent with the theoretical explanation of surface freezing in alkanes being driven by the entropy of ordering competing with the relatively low solid-vapor and solid-liquid interfacial tensions of the ordered CH3- surfaces, compared to the higher liquid-vapor surface tensions.
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