The Properties of Small Water Clusters from Isothermal Nucleation Rate Measurements

Abstract

We have made direct measurements of the stationary, homogeneous nucleation rates, J=N/Δt, in supersonic Laval nozzles. The number densities, N, of droplets formed are measured using small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments and the time intervals during which nucleation occurs, Δt <10 μs, are derived from static pressure measurements along the axis of the nozzle. By using nozzles with different expansion rates, we obtain the first isothermal nucleation rate measurements as a function of supersaturation for these devices with a relatively small error margin in J of +/-50%. At temperatures T of 210, 220, and 230 K, the maximum nucleation rates for D 2O range between 4- 1016< J /cm -3s-1 < 3- 1017 for supersaturations S ranging from 46 to 143. Applying the first and second nucleation theorems to isothermal nucleation rate data directly yields estimates for the number of molecules in the critical cluster n* and the excess internal energy E x(n*), respectively. The agreement between these values and the classical values predicted assuming the critical cluster is a compact spherical object are really quite good even though under our conditions n* is less than 10 and the water is highly supercooled.

Meeting Name

AIChE Annual Meeting and Fall Showcase (2005: Oct. 30-Nov. 4, Cincinnati, OH)

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Isotherms; Neutron scattering; Pressure effects; Supersaturation; Theorem proving; Thermal effects; Angle neutron scattering (SANS); Isothermal nucleation; Nucleation theorems; Water clusters; Nucleation

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Oct 2005

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