Electrofreezing of Liquid Ammonia
Giuseppe Cassone, Jiřı́ Šponer, Judit E. Šponer, Franz Saija
Abstract
molecular dynamics simulations, we predict that, upon applying intense electric fields on ammonia, the electrofreezing phenomenon occurs, leading the liquid toward a novel ferroelectric solid phase. This study proves that electric fields can generally be exploited as the access key to otherwise-unreachable regions in phase diagrams, unveiling the existence of new condensed-phase structures. Furthermore, the reported findings have manifold practical implications, from the safe storage and transportation of ammonia to the understanding of the solid structures this compound forms in planetary contexts.
Topics & Concepts
Phase diagramElectric fieldAmmoniaFerroelectricityPhase (matter)Chemical physicsKey (lock)Manifold (fluid mechanics)Ab initioField (mathematics)Materials scienceCondensed matter physicsPhysicsDielectricChemistryComputer scienceMechanical engineeringQuantum mechanicsOrganic chemistryEngineeringMathematicsComputer securityOptoelectronicsPure mathematicsAmmonia Synthesis and Nitrogen ReductionSolid-state spectroscopy and crystallographyHydrogen Storage and Materials