Nucleus–liquid interfacial energy of elements

Based on the previous models for bulk and size-dependent solid–liquid interfacial energy γ sl0 and γ sl ( r ) with the additional temperature-dependent melting enthalpy Δ H m ( T ) and improved Gibbs free energy difference functions g m ( T ) between crystal and liquid, γ sl ( r , T ) function is quantitatively modeled. It is found that the γ CNT values of Turnbull's undercooling experiments correspond to the model predictions for the nucleus–liquid interfacial energy rather than γ sl0 . This correspondence leads to the reexaminations on the classic nucleation theory. Moreover, the linear relationship between γ sl ( r , T ) and Δ H m / V is found to be always valid at any degree of undercooling where V is the molar volume. Finally, the size range of γ sl ( r , T ) for elements is also discussed.