Parameterization of ice nucleation on insoluble particles

Abstract

Ice nucleation on an insoluble particle is controlled by one of three limiting processes: sublimation, condensation and freezing (contact and immersion). The limiting process is determined by the supersaturation S and supercooling ΔT of the environment, and so nucleation occurs in three distinct regions of (ΔT,S) space. Within each region, the nucleation of large particles takes place at specified threshold values of ΔT and S. The threshold conditions depend upon three surface parameters. which are related to the contact angle between the nucleus substrate and the phases of water. As ΔT and S are raised above the threshold conditions, small particles are gradually nucleated. Thus the heterogeneous nucleation of ice can be specified in terms of the environmental conditions, ΔT and S, and the surface properties of the nuclei.