Identification of a common ice nucleus on hydrophilic and hydrophobic close-packed metal surfaces

Pengcheng Chen, Qiuhao Xu, Zijing Ding, Qing Chen, Jiyu Xu, Zhihai Cheng, Xiaohui Qiu (), Bingkai Yuan (), Sheng Meng () and Nan Yao ()
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Pengcheng Chen: Princeton University
Qiuhao Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zijing Ding: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qing Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiyu Xu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhihai Cheng: Renmin University of China
Xiaohui Qiu: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology
Bingkai Yuan: Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Sheng Meng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Nan Yao: Princeton University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Establishing a general model of heterogeneous ice nucleation has long been challenging because of the surface water structures found on different substrates. Identifying common water clusters, regardless of the underlying substrate, is one of the key steps toward solving this problem. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a common water cluster found on both hydrophilic Pt(111) and hydrophobic Cu(111) surfaces using scanning tunneling microscopy and non-contact atomic force microscopy. Water molecules self-assemble into a structure with a central flat-lying hexagon and three fused pentagonal rings, forming a cluster consisting of 15 individual water molecules. This cluster serves as a critical nucleus during ice nucleation on both surfaces: ice growth beyond this cluster bifurcates to form two-dimensional (three-dimensional) layers on hydrophilic (hydrophobic) surfaces. Our results reveal the inherent similarity and distinction at the initial stage of ice growth on hydrophilic and hydrophobic close-packed metal surfaces; thus, these observations provide initial evidence toward a general model for water-substrate interaction.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41436-x

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