Ice Interfaces: Vapor, Liquid, and Solutions

Interfaces between hexagonal ice and its vapor, liquid water, and aqueous solutions are all of central importance to life on earth. Despite its importance, much remains unknown about the ice interface, particularly at the molecular level. This contribution contains a brief survey of these three interfaces, emphasizing experimental results. Remarkably, evidence suggests that the secondary prism face is the most stable face at both the ice–vapor and the ice–water interfaces. The ice–aqueous solution interface can be used to generate unique materials. Directional freezing, using a strong thermal gradient, results in kinetic control of ice morphology. Surprisingly, even under these far-from-equilibrium conditions, the secondary prism face is the most stable. A molecular-level justification of this stability is presented.