Homogeneous nucleation of predominantly cubic ice confined in nanoporous alumina.

Suzuki, Yasuhito; Duran, Hatice; Steinhart, Martin; Kappl, Michael; Butt, Hans-Jürgen; Floudas, George · Nano Lett · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The nucleation mechanism of water can be precisely regulated by confinement within nanoporous alumina. We found a transition from heterogeneous nucleation of hexagonal ice (Ih) to homogeneous nucleation of predominantly cubic ice (Ic) with decreasing pore diameter. These results lead to a phase diagram of water under confinement. It contains a (stable) predominant Ic form, a form known to exist only in the upper atmosphere. Possible applications range from cryopreservation to construction materials like cement.