Interaction of ammonia and water with the surface of a common ice-nucleating mineral

What is it about?

This contribution provides direct, atomic-scale insights into the adsorption of ammonia on a prevalent aluminosilicate mineral – microcline feldspar – leveraging cutting-edge technical advancements in atomic force microscopy. The research is driven by discussions in the literature regarding atmospheric ice nucleation mechanisms, particularly focusing on the question of whether ammonia adsorption enhances ice nucleation efficiency on microcline.

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Photo by Marci Takacs on Unsplash

Photo by Marci Takacs on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study shows that water and ammonia compete for the same adsorption sites on microcline, challenging the notion that ice nucleation on this mineral proceeds via the formation of an ordered water layer atop pre-adsorbed ammonia molecules. The exploration not only advances our fundamental understanding of ammonia−mineral interactions but also lays the groundwork for progress in ice nucleation research.