Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.117, No.23, 4916-4927, 2013
Ice Particle Crystallization in the Presence of Ethanol: An In Situ Study by Raman and X-ray Diffraction
Two distinct ethanol aqueous solution droplets ((X-EtOH)(L) = 8.7 wt % and 46.5 wt %) are investigated by in situ Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction between 253 and 88 K. Structural changes are identified by modifications in the O-H and C-H stretching modes (2800-3800 cm(-1) spectral region) during freezing and annealing events. They are attributed to the formation of ice and/or different hydrate structures in the EtOH-water system. At high initial ethanol concentration, the particle is found to be composed of a modified clathrate I (cubic structure) at 211 K on cooling and transformed into an ethanol hydrate II (monoclinic structure) on annealing between similar to 143 and 173 K. This latter decomposes at similar to 200 K and leaves an aqueous solution and ice Ih which further dissociates above similar to 230 K. At low initial concentration, ice first forms on cooling and the particle consists of a crystalline ice core embedded in a liquid layer of high ethanol content at similar to 200 K (or an amorphous layer at lower T). A new hydrate (IV) of distinct structure (orthorhombic) is observed on annealing (from 100 K) between similar to 123 K and similar to 142 K (depending on initial composition), which transforms into the ethanol hydrate II at similar to 160 K. The hydrate II decomposes at similar to 200 K, and ice Ih remains (and dissociate above similar to 220 K) in coexistence with the liquid layer of high ethanol content. It is proposed that the complex crystalline ice particles formed may have the potential to impact several atmospherical processes differently in comparison to the pure ice case.