Homogeneous Nucleation of Predominantly Cubic Ice Confined in Nanoporous Alumina

The nucleation mechanism of water can be precisely regulated by confinement within nanoporous alumina. We found a transition from heterogeneous nucleation of hexagonal ice (Ih) to homogeneous nucleation of predominantly cubic ice (Ic) with decreasing pore diameter. These results lead to a phase diagram of water under confinement. It contains a (stable) predominant Ic form, a form known to exist only in the upper atmosphere. Possible applications range from cryopreservation to construction materials like cement.