Studies on two-dimensional nucleation

Abstract Assuming a square shaped two-dimensional nucleus, the expression for critical free energy is derived. Using the McDonald theory, the nucleation rate is calculated. Concepts like strain energy and edge energy are taken into account for calculating the free energy of formation in the heterogeneous nulceation. The edge energy for two-dimensional nucleus of NH 4 I on a mica substrate is found to be 12 erg/cm 2 .