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Title: Imaging the condensation and evaporation of molecularly thin films of water with nanometer resolution

Abstract

The polarization force between an electrically charged atomic force microscope tip and a substrate has been used to follow the processes of condensation and evaporation of a monolayer of water on mica at room temperature. Condensation proceeds in two distinct structural phases. Up to about 25 percent humidity, the water film grows by forming two-dimensional clusters of less than a few 1000 angstroms in diameter. Above about 25 percent humidity, a second phase grows, forming large two-dimensional islands with geometrical shapes in epitaxial relation with the underlaying mica lattice. The growth of this second water phase is completed when the humidity reaches about 45 percent. The reverse process of evaporation has also been imaged. 13 refs., 6 figs.

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
61843
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-76SF00098
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Science
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 268; Journal Issue: 5208; Other Information: PBD: 14 Apr 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
66 PHYSICS; WATER; THIN FILMS; EVAPORATION; HUMIDITY; VARIATIONS; WATER VAPOR; IMAGES; SURFACES

Citation Formats

Hu, J, Xiao, X D, Ogletree, D F, and Salmeron, M. Imaging the condensation and evaporation of molecularly thin films of water with nanometer resolution. United States: N. p., 1995. Web. doi:10.1126/science.268.5208.267.
Hu, J, Xiao, X D, Ogletree, D F, & Salmeron, M. Imaging the condensation and evaporation of molecularly thin films of water with nanometer resolution. United States. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.268.5208.267
Hu, J, Xiao, X D, Ogletree, D F, and Salmeron, M. 1995. "Imaging the condensation and evaporation of molecularly thin films of water with nanometer resolution". United States. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.268.5208.267.
@article{osti_61843,
title = {Imaging the condensation and evaporation of molecularly thin films of water with nanometer resolution},
author = {Hu, J and Xiao, X D and Ogletree, D F and Salmeron, M},
abstractNote = {The polarization force between an electrically charged atomic force microscope tip and a substrate has been used to follow the processes of condensation and evaporation of a monolayer of water on mica at room temperature. Condensation proceeds in two distinct structural phases. Up to about 25 percent humidity, the water film grows by forming two-dimensional clusters of less than a few 1000 angstroms in diameter. Above about 25 percent humidity, a second phase grows, forming large two-dimensional islands with geometrical shapes in epitaxial relation with the underlaying mica lattice. The growth of this second water phase is completed when the humidity reaches about 45 percent. The reverse process of evaporation has also been imaged. 13 refs., 6 figs.},
doi = {10.1126/science.268.5208.267},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/61843}, journal = {Science},
number = 5208,
volume = 268,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Apr 14 00:00:00 EDT 1995},
month = {Fri Apr 14 00:00:00 EDT 1995}
}