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Formation of Cubic Ice via Clathrate Hydrate, Prepared in Ultrahigh Vacuum under Cryogenic Conditions
Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Radha Gobinda Bhuin,
Published in American Chemical Society
2019
PMID: 31804833
Volume: 11
   
Issue: 1
Pages: 26 - 32
Abstract
Cubic ice (ice Ic) is a crystalline phase of solid water, which exists in the earth's atmosphere and extraterrestrial environments. We provide experimental evidence that dissociation of acetone clathrate hydrate (CH) makes ice Ic in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) at 130-135 K. In this process, we find that crystallization of ice Ic occurs below its normal crystallization temperature. Time-dependent reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) were utilized to confirm the formation of ice Ic. Associated crystallization kinetics and activation energy (Ea) for the process were evaluated. We suggest that enhanced mobility or diffusion of water molecules during acetone hydrate dissociation enabled crystallization. Moreover, this finding implied that CHs might exist in extreme low-pressure environments present in comets. These hydrates, subjected to prolonged thermal annealing, transform into ice Ic. This unique process of crystallization hints at a possible mechanistic route for the formation of ice Ic in comets. © 2019 American Chemical Society.
About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
PublisherData powered by TypesetAmerican Chemical Society
ISSN19487185
Open AccessNo
Concepts (21)
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    Acetone
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    Activation energy
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    Crystallization kinetics
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    Dissociation
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    Earth atmosphere
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    EXTRATERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERES
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    Hydrates
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    Hydration
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    Infrared spectroscopy
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    Molecules
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    REFLECTION HIGH ENERGY ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
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    Ultrahigh vacuum
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    ACTIVATION ENERGIES (EA)
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    CRYOGENIC CONDITIONS
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    Crystallization temperature
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    Experimental evidence
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    EXTRATERRESTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS
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    Hydrate dissociation
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    LOW PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT
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    REFLECTION ABSORPTION INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY
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    Ice