Thermodynamics of supercooled water

TL;DR

This paper reviews experimental data on supercooled water's thermodynamics and demonstrates that a critical-point model accurately describes these properties up to 400 MPa, providing a theoretical benchmark.

Contribution

It introduces a critical-point thermodynamics model that accurately fits experimental data of supercooled water's thermodynamic properties up to 400 MPa.

Findings

Critical-point thermodynamics matches experimental data within accuracy.

Model extends to pressures up to 400 MPa.

Discusses stability limits and crystallization coupling.

Abstract

We review the available experimental information on the thermodynamic properties of supercooled ordinary and heavy water and demonstrate the possibility of modeling these thermodynamic properties on a theoretical basis. We show that by assuming the existence of a liquid-liquid critical point in supercooled water, the theory of critical phenomena can give an accurate account of the experimental thermodynamic-property data up to a pressure of 150 MPa. In addition, we show that a phenomenological extension of the theoretical model can account for all currently available experimental data in the supercooled region, up to 400 MPa. The stability limit of the liquid state and possible coupling between crystallization and liquid-liquid separation are discussed. It is concluded that critical-point thermodynamics describes the available thermodynamic data for supercooled water within experimental accuracy, thus establishing a benchmark for further developments in this area.