Surface reconstructions govern ice nucleation on silver iodide.

ABSTRACT: Silver iodide (AgI) is among the most effective ice-nucleating agents, attributed to its close lattice match with hexagonal ice. However, the atomic-level mechanism behind its efficiency remains unclear. The basal surfaces of AgI are polar and inherently unstable, necessitating a compensation mechanism, such as surface reconstruction, which may disrupt the favorable lattice match with ice. We combine noncontact atomic force microscopy with advanced computational modeling to determine the atomic structure of basal AgI surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum. The Ag-terminated (0001) surface exhibits a (2 × 2) reconstruction with ordered Ag vacancies, preserving a hexagonal arrangement of surface atoms that facilitates epitaxial ice growth. In contrast, the I-terminated (000[Formula: see text]) surface

SUBMITTER: Hutner JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12577688 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature