The moment of initial crystallization captured on functionalized nanoparticles

Understanding the mechanism of supercooling suppression by crystallization seeds is important for designing semiclathrate hydrates for latent heat storage materials. Here, we show that 10-30 nm cluster formation around silver nanoparticles promotes crystallization of supercooled aqueous solutions. Even if a liquid is cooled below its melting point, the liquid state can be maintained under certain conditions. This state is called supercooling. Spraying fine particles of dry ice or silver iodide induces a phase change from supercooled droplets to ice grains. However, the mechanism by which crystallization seeds diminish supercooling is not well understood. Here, we captured the moment when a cluster, which is the smallest structural unit of a crystal, envelops a silver nanoparticle. As a result of observing the structure of a supercooled aqueous solution of a clathrate hydrate, we found that silver nanoparticles accelerate the formation of clusters, whereas the noble metals palladium, gold and iridium likewise form nanoparticles but do not promote crystallization. Our discoveries elucidate the mechanism of heterogeneous nucleation during a phase change in clathrate hydrates. We anticipate our discovery to be the starting point for the control of supercooling, a technique that can be applied to enhance the production efficiency and quality of manufactured products.

Automated summary

Understanding the mechanism by which silver nanoparticles promote crystallization of supercooled aqueous solutions is crucial for designing semiclathrate hydrates for latent heat storage materials. This study reveals that silver nanoparticles accelerate cluster formation, leading to a phase change from supercooled droplets to ice grains. The discovery provides insights into heterogeneous nucleation during a phase change and has potential implications for enhancing production efficiency and quality of manufactured products.