The Surface of Ice Is Like Supercooled Liquid Water

Abstract

The surface of ice has been reported to be disordered at temperatures well below the bulk melting point. However, the precise nature of this disorder has been a topic of intense debate. Herein, we study the molecular properties of the surface of ice as a function of temperatures using heterodyne‐detected sum‐frequency generation spectroscopy. We observe that, down to 245 K, the spectral response of the surface of ice contains a component that is indistinguishable from supercooled liquid water.

Water Mobility in the Interfacial Liquid Layer of Ice/Clay Nanocomposites

“…Theproperties and nature of the premelting layer formed at ice surfaces and interfaces is atopic of intense debate.Smit et al found that the sum-frequency generation spectra (SFG) from the ice premelting layer and supercooled bulk water are indistinguishable. [50] Therefore,they deduced that the surface of ice is more like supercooled liquid water down to 245 K. [50] However,u sing the same experimental technique Sµnchez et al [12] found that the SFG response from ice surfaces at 270 Kisdifferent compared to supercooled water at the same temperature,b ut more similar to that of ice at 243 K. This indicates that the premelting water forms stronger hydrogen bonds than supercooled bulk water.…”

Interfacial premelting of ice in nano composite materials

“…Likewise, Smit et al found that the characteristic spectroscopic response from the ice premelting layer and supercooled bulk water is indistinguishable by sum-frequency generation spectroscopy. 59 However, changes in the water structure have been observed for water confined in nano-pores. 60 Scattering experiments indicate that confined water exhibits a higher order compared to bulk.…”

Wassermobilität in der grenzflächeninduzierten Schmelzschicht von Eis/Tonmineral‐Nanokompositen

“…Smit et al stellten fest, dass die Summen-Frequenz-Erzeugungsspektren (SFG) der Schmelzschicht von Eis und von unterkühltem Wasser ununterscheidbar sind. [50] Hieraus folgerten sie,d ass die Oberfläche von Eis tendenziell derer unterkühlten flüssigen Wassers bei 245 K ähnelt. [50] Sµnchez et al [12] fanden jedoch mit der gleichen experimentellen Te chnik heraus,d ass die SFG-Spektren an…”