Microscopic Surface Tension in the Classical Nucleation Theory

0329360 - ÚT 2010 RIV CZ eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Němec, Tomáš - Maršík, František
Microscopic Surface Tension in the Classical Nucleation Theory.
Nucleation and Atmospheric Aerosol. Praha: Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals ASCR, v. v. i., Czech Aerosol Society, 2009 - (Smolík, J.; O´Dowd, C.), s. 561-654. ISBN 978-80-02-12161-2.
[International Conference Nucleation and Atmospheric Aerosol /18./. Praha (CZ), 10.08.2009-14.08.2009]
R&D Projects: GA AV ČR KJB400760701
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z20760514
Keywords : nucleation theory * multicomponent condensation * surface adsorption
Subject RIV: BK - Fluid Dynamics

The surface tension of liquid clusters in the Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT) is investigated using the Gibbs adsorption isotherm. A theoretical derivation is given that shows the relation between macroscopic (plain-surface) surface tension and the surface tension of microscopic spherical clusters of the CNT. An exemplary water – ethanol binary condensing system is studied. It is shown that by using the microscopic surface tension in nucleation calculations an exceptional agreement between theoretical and experimental nucleation rates is achieved.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0175417