Work

Crystalline Oxy-Hydroxide Domains on Cobalt Anodes as Efficient “Ice Makers” of Supercooled Water by Epitaxy

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In search of different chemical mechanisms for electro-freezing of supercooled water (SCW), we describe here the differences between the inert electrodes of Co and Ni and their ability to be converted into ice makers. The formation of crystalline domains by anodic electrochemical treatment of cobalt in 10 μM KOH solution triggers ice nucleation of supercooled water at ∼−3 °C without the application of voltage. X-ray diffraction and XPS demonstrate that these crystalline domains are composed of oxyhydroxide molecules. As predicted by their Moiré fringes, crystals of hexagonal ice grow epitaxially on top of these domains along their [002] direction. In contrast, Ni anodes under similar electrochemical treatment do not form crystalline domains of the oxyhydroxides and therefore do not yield ice-nucleating surfaces.

Source: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c04256

Authors: Leah Fuhrman Javitt, Hagai Cohen, Isabelle Weissbuch, David Ehre, Meir Lahav, Igor Lubomirsky

Institution: Weizmann Institute of Science

Language: English

Topic: nanoparticles nucleation surface interactions

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funder: Israel Science Foundation