Kinetics of Stacking Order Evolution During Heterogeneous Ice Formation
Abstract
The selection of stacking order in a broad range of close-packed polymorphic materials remains a challenging enigma. Using in situ cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, we uncover the atomistic mechanisms governing the vapour deposition growth of ice. We find that the heterogeneous ice nucleation and growth undergoes recrystallization accompanied by bifurcation, reflecting a coherent epitaxial transition from a cubic-ice embryonic core to hexagonal-ice prismatic dendrites, with intermediate stacking-disordered layers serving as a dynamic fluctuating bridge. Supported by molecular dynamics simulations, these phenomena are attributed to a surface-constrained, symmetry-breaking crystallization preference aligned with the principle of minimizing free energy. Our results highlight the critical role of the combined effects of surface and symmetry in shaping ice crystallization, providing fresh insights into crystal growth mechanisms and guiding principles for the design of advanced materials.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2603.00440,
title = {Kinetics of Stacking Order Evolution During Heterogeneous Ice Formation},
author = {Xudan Huang and Zifeng Yuan and Chon-Hei Lo and Huacong Sun and Lei Liao and Hongbo Han and Wenxi Li and Wenlong Wang and Zhi Xu and Lei Liu and Xuedong Bai and Limei Xu and Enge Wang and Lifen Wang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.00440},
year = {2026}
}