The quasi-liquid layer thickness controls clathrate hydrates' growth rate

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Cai, Xinrui; Salvalaglio, Matteo; Striolo, Alberto
• 署名单位: University of London; University College London; University of Oklahoma System; University of Oklahoma - Norman; University of Oklahoma System; University of Oklahoma - Norman
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2521343123
• 发表日期: 2026-03-17
• 页码: e2521343123
• 关键词: carbon sequestration; chemical promoters; molecular dynamics; crystal growth; SODIUM DODECYL-SULFATE; molecular-dynamics; amino-acids; KINETIC PROMOTERS; phase-equilibria; simulations; surface; ice

摘要

separations, and other applications. However, their slow growth kinetics prevents the cost-effective realization of hydrate-based technologies. To overcome this challenge, chemical additives have been identified to control hydrates' growth rate. Among others, are both effective at low concentrations. While SDS is widely available but raises environmental concerns, TRP is environmentally benign. Although both SDS and TRP are interfacially active, the molecular mechanism responsible for their ability to enhance hydrate growth is not known, nor is the reason why these compounds are effective at low concentrations. It is demonstrated here that both SDS and TRP, when adsorbed, affect the thickness of the quasi-liquid layer (QLL) at the hydrate-water growing hydrate. The QLL amplifies the effect to mesoscopic length scales, explaining why small amounts of these surface-active compounds enhance hydrate growth rate.