# Lifshitz interaction can promote ice growth at water-silica interfaces

## TL;DR

This study reveals that Lifshitz interactions can promote ice film growth at water-silica interfaces near the triple point, challenging previous assumptions about their role at air-water interfaces.

## Contribution

It demonstrates that Lifshitz forces can facilitate ice formation on porous silica surfaces, highlighting a new mechanism for water freezing on glass and similar materials.

## Key findings

- Lifshitz force promotes 1-8 nm ice film growth at silica-water interfaces.
- Zero frequency mode influences interactions at low temperatures.
- Porosity reverses spectral function contributions, enabling ice growth.

## Abstract

At air-water interfaces, the Lifshitz interaction by itself does not promote ice growth. On the contrary, we find that the Lifshitz force promotes the growth of an ice film, up to 1-8 nm thickness, near silica-water interfaces at the triple point of water. This is achieved in a system where the combined effect of the retardation and the zero frequency mode influences the short-range interactions at low temperatures, contrary to common understanding. Cancellation between the positive and negative contributions in the Lifshitz spectral function is reversed in silica with high porosity. Our results provide a model for how water freezes on glass and other surfaces.