Exploring nucleation and phase transition of crystalline phases confined on spherical surfaces via the Landau–Brazovskii model

Key Points

• The research aims to understand how curvature affects nucleation and phase transitions of crystalline phases.
• Utilized the Landau-Brazovskii model to examine phase behavior.
• Analyzed nucleation mechanisms on spherical surfaces compared to planar systems.
• Investigated the influence of surface curvature on critical nucleus size.
• Identified a distinct multi-step nucleation mechanism on spherical surfaces.
• Found that curvature significantly alters critical nucleus size.
• Revealed different transition paths towards final crystalline states influenced by size.