Homogeneous nucleation at high supersaturation and heterogeneous nucleation on microscopic wettable particles: A hybrid thermodynamic∕density-functional theory

Homogeneous nucleation at high supersaturation and heterogeneous nucleation on microscopic wettable particles: A hybrid thermodynamic/density-functional theory.

Homogeneous nucleation at high supersaturation of vapor and heterogeneous nucleation on microscopic wettable particles are studied on the basis of Lennard-Jones model system. A hybrid classical thermodynamics and density-functional theory (DFT) approach is undertaken to treat the nucleation problems. Local-density approximation and weighted-density approximation are employed within the framewor...

Heterogeneous nucleation on mesoscopic wettable particles: A hybrid thermodynamic/density-functional theory

Heterogeneous nucleation on a completely wettable substrate

It is widely believed that heterogeneous nucleation occurs without an activation process when the surface is completely wettable. In this report, we review our previous work [J.Chem.Phys 134, 234709 (2011)] to show that the critical nucleus (droplet) can exist and the activation process may be observable. In fact, a critical nucleus and a free energy barrier always exist if the surface potentia...

The dependence of homogeneous nucleation rate on supersaturation.

The claim that classical nucleation theory (CNT) correctly predicts the dependence on supersaturation of the steady-state rate of homogeneous nucleation is reexamined in light of recent experimental studies of nucleation of a range of substances, including water, argon, nitrogen, and several 1-alcohols. Based on these studies (which include, for water, a compilation of nine different studies), ...

Crystal Nucleation without Supersaturation.

Classical nucleation theory (CNT) has been extensively employed to interpret crystal nucleation phenomena and postulates the formation of an ordered crystalline nucleus directly from vapor or solution. Here, we provide the first experimental demonstration of a two-step mechanism that facilitates deposition of crystals on solid surfaces from vapor. Crucially, this occurs from saturated vapor wit...