Ice nucleation by smectites: the role of the edges

Abstract 2 + + with a minor contribution of Ca2 + + smectite. The bentonite SAu-1 is rich in Mg2 + +, and the synthetic interstratified mica-montmorillonite Barasym carries NH4 + 4 + 2 + 3 + 2 + showed no influence on IN activity. However, aging of smectite suspensions in pure water up to several months revealed a decrease in IN activity with time, which we attribute to the delamination of smectites in aqueous suspensions, which may proceed over long timescales. The dependence of IN activity on platelet stacking and thickness can be explained if the hydroxylated chains forming at the edges are the location of ice nucleation in smectites, since the edges need to be thick enough to host a critical ice embryo. We hypothesize that at least three smectite layers need to be stacked together to host a critical ice embryo on clay mineral edges and that the larger the surface edge area is, the higher the freezing temperature. Comparison with reported platelet thicknesses of the investigated smectite samples suggests that the observed freezing temperatures are indeed limited by the surface area provided by the mostly very thin platelets. Specifically, Laponite, which did not show any IN activity, is known to delaminate into single layers of about 1 nm thickness, which would be too thin to host a critical ice embryo.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Ice nucleation by smectites: the role of the edges ; volume:23 ; number:8 ; year:2023 ; pages:4881-4902 ; extent:22 ; Atmospheric chemistry and physics ; 23, Heft 8 (2023), 4881-4902 (gesamt 22)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Kumar, Anand ; Klumpp, Kristian ; Barak, Chen ; Rytwo, Giora ; Plötze, Michael ; Peter, Thomas ; Marcolli, Claudia

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/acp-23-4881-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023042708022273204799
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 11:03 AM CEST