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Title: Crystallization Kinetics and Excess Free Energy of H2O and D2O Nanoscale Films of Amorphous Solid Water

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 115(23):5908-5917
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp110297q· OSTI ID:1018139

Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) are used to investigate the crystallization kinetics and measure the excess free energy of metastable amorphous solid water films (ASW) of H2O and D2O grown using molecular beams. The desorption rates from the amorphous and crystalline phases of ASW are distinct, and as such, crystallization manifests can be observed in the TPD spectrum. The crystallization kinetics were studied by varying the TPD heating rate from 0.001 to 3 K/s. A coupled desorptioncrystallization kinetic model accurately simulates the desorption spectra and accurately predicts the observed temperature shifts in the crystallization. Isothermal crystallization studies using RAIRS are in agreement with the TPD results. Furthermore, highly sensitive measurements of the desorption rates were used to determine the excess free energy of ASW near 150 K. The excess entropy obtained from these data are consistent with there being a thermodynamic continuity between ASW and supercooled liquid water.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1018139
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-76027; 39898; KC0301020; TRN: US201113%%577
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 115(23):5908-5917, Vol. 115, Issue 23
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English