Classical nucleation theory with an electric field: modified free-energy barrier (ΔG*) and critical radius (r*)

सार

Classic nucleation theory (CNT) is an approach that illustrates the concept of phase transitions and subsequent new phases creation from the underlying parent phases that are in a metastable state. The application of external electric fields has brought about considerable changes in the thermodynamic driving forces of the nucleation process. The current paper presents a theoretical analysis of how electric fields can influence the free-energy barrier (ΔG*) and the critical nucleus radius (r*) in the context of CNT. We obtain new expressions for these critical parameters by adding electrostatic contributions to the total free-energy balance. The study shows that the application of an electric field can significantly decrease the energy barrier and the critical radius, which in turn leads to an increase in the rate of nucleation and a shift in the phase stability landscape.

Keywords: Classical nucleation theory, electric field, free-energy barrier, critical radius, electrochemical nucleation, field-assisted crystallization.