Experimental Observations of Surface Freezing

Abstract

Capillary phase transitions and those induced by interfaces, like pre-melting, have been studied for decades. The related phenomenon of surface freezing has not been explored so extensively. We review experiments on surface freezing, those of long-chain n-alkanes in particular, and place the results within the wider thermodynamic framework of surface phase transitions. Surface freezing plays an important role in nucleation and crystallization of bulk long-chain n-alkanes. Implications for capillary melting and freezing of substances at nanoscales are discussed. Theoretical aspects of condensed capillary phase transitions will be reviewed separately.