Comment on "generalized Gibbs' approach" [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 6166 (2003); 124, 194503 (2006)]

TL;DR

This paper critically evaluates the generalized Gibbs' approach, demonstrating its inaccuracies in predicting equilibrium conditions of critical embryos, and provides corrected thermodynamic conditions and a generalized adsorption equation.

Contribution

It identifies shortcomings in Schmelzer et al.'s approach and derives accurate thermodynamic conditions of equilibrium and a generalized adsorption equation.

Findings

Schmelzer et al.'s approach yields incorrect equilibrium conditions

The paper derives correct thermodynamic conditions of equilibrium

A generalized adsorption equation is formulated in different forms

Abstract

"Generalized Gibbs' approach" of Schmelzer et al [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 6166 (2003); 124, 194503 (2006)] results in wrong conditions of equilibrium of a critical embryo with the ambient phase. The presented analysis shows the shortcomings of this approach and proves the thermodynamic conditions of equilibrium. Also, a generalized adsorption equation is obtained in different forms.