Multiple phase transitions in ethanol thin films obtained by physical vapor deposition
Aldiyarov A. Yerezhep D. Sokolov D. Korshikov E. Nurmukan A. Tasmukhanova A. Ramos M.A.
1 April 2025Elsevier B.V.
Applied Surface Science
2025#687
This article investigates the crystallization of glassy ethanol into a plastic crystal and ultimately into a monoclinic crystal. Ethanol glasses were created by physical vapor deposition (PVD) of ethanol molecules as thin films onto a cooled, gold-coated copper substrate in a high-vacuum chamber, at temperatures below ethanol glass transition temperature (Tg = 97 K). The films, about 1 μm thick, were analyzed using a two-beam laser interferometer to determine their thickness and density. FTIR spectrometry was used to characterize different ethanol phases over a temperature range close to the glass transition and melting points. Results show that varying densities of solid ethanol form with changes in condensation temperature, reaching maximum density around 110 K. When deposition occurs above Tg, a crystalline phase called “plastic crystal” forms. However, PVD glasses deposited at temperatures slightly below Tg exhibit an increase in the devitrification temperature (Ton), suggesting that these samples form more kinetically stable, amorphous ethanol structures.
Glass transition , Highly-stable glasses , Low temperature , Organic glasses , Physical vapor deposition , Plastic crystals , Thin films
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al-Farabi, Kazakh National University, al-Farabi av. 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Satbayev University, Satbaev str., Almaty, 22, 050040, Kazakhstan
Almaty technological University, Tole Bi av., 100, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, E-28049, Spain
Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, E-28049, Spain
al-Farabi
Satbayev University
Almaty technological University
Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada
Instituto Nicolás Cabrera
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