Nucleation Behavior of n-Alkane Microdroplets in an Electrodynamic Balance

The nucleation behavior of n -alkane droplets with carbon numbers ranging from 14 to 17 was observed in an electrodynamic balance. Changes in the elastic light-scattering pattern of the single levitated microdroplets indicate the phase transition from liquid to solid. Cooling/heating experiments showed larger supercooling temperatures than expected for alkane droplets with an alkane/air interface. Measurements of the nucleation rates of C 15 H 32 and C 17 H 36 gave additional information about the dynamics of the nucleation process and allowed us to distinguish homogeneous from heterogeneous nucleation.