Zipper Model for the Melting of Thin Films

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel zipper-like model for understanding the melting of thin films, providing a new criterion that aligns well with experimental data on melting points and heat of fusion.

Contribution

The paper presents an alternative to Lindemann's criterion, offering a molecular zipper mechanism to explain thin film melting with a new predictive criterion.

Findings

Model matches experimental melting points

Predicts heat of fusion accurately

Provides a new theoretical framework

Abstract

We proposed an alternative model to criterion of Lindemann for melting that explains the melting of thin films on the basis of a molecular zipper-like mechanism. Using this model, a unique criterion for melting is obtained. We compared the results of the proposed model with experimental data of melting points and heat of fusion for many materials and obtained interesting results.