Alkali metal ion-mediated ice nucleation

Abstract

Understanding the effects of ion specificities on ice nucleation is essential for atmospheric science and biology. Although valence and concentration changes of ions can regulate ice nucleation, it is unclear if alkali metal ions of different species with the same valence can regulate ice nucleation. This study investigated the behavior of ice nucleation on alkali metal ion-modified surfaces with atomic-scale roughness and (sub)nanometer thickness to decouple the effect of alkali metal ions on ice nucleation. The results showed that modulating the type of alkali metal ion could regulate ice nucleation. Additionally, it was found that different hydration shells of alkali metal ions may influence the structure of interfacial water and the thermodynamic phase transition to play a key role in regulating ice nucleation. This study shed light on a long-standing problem of the mechanism of alkali metal ions in ice nucleation and provided a strategy for effectively regulating ice nucleation .