Probing the critical nucleus size in tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrate formation using surface-anchored nanoparticles

Abstract

Controlling the formation of clathrate hydrates is crucial for advancing hydrate-based technologies. However, the microscopic mechanism underlying clathrate hydrate formation through nucleation remains poorly elucidated. Specifically, the critical nucleus, theorized as a pivotal step in nucleation, lacks empirical validation. Here, we report uniform nanoparticles, e.g., graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and gold or silver nanocubes with controlled sizes, as nanoprobes to experimentally measure the size of the critical nucleus of tetrahydrofuran (THF) clathrate hydrate formation. The capability of the nanoparticles in facilitating THF clathrate hydrate nucleation displays generally an abrupt change at a nanoparticle-size-determined specific supercooling. It is revealed that the free-energy barrier shows an abrupt change when the nanoparticles have an approximately the same size as that of the critical nucleus. Thus, it is inferred that THF clathrate hydrate nucleation involves the creation of a critical nucleus with its size being inversely proportional to the supercooling. By proving the existence and determining the supercooling-dependent size of the critical nucleus of the THF clathrate hydrates, this work brings insights in the microscopic pictures of the clathrate hydrate nucleation.

Can Aluminum Cations Promote Nucleation for THF Hydrate Growth?

“…Sun et al reported that nonanoic acid with THF + water emulsion formed small crystal particles, eventually decreasing the induction time. Xue et al reported that the size of the nanoparticles could influence the size of the critical nucleus required for hydrate formation. The aluminum hydroxide formation requires the addition of a base to let pH fall in the specified range.…”