The inclusivity of ice.

Due to the omnipresence of water in our universe, scientists have embarked on a journey to elucidate the peculiarities that define this molecule. From examining phase transitions to understanding intermolecular bonding and structural characteristics, water exhibits many fascinating and defining physical and chemical properties. One notable quality is the phase transition from water to ice, where scientists have used this phase transition to hypothesize the theory of self-purification of ice. Here, the implications of this theory have been examined through the utilization of a modified-Czochralski freezing method with inorganic salts, such as sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, and ammonium sulfate; organic salts, such as sodium acetate, sodium formate, and ammonium acetate; as well as the volatile molecule, tetrahydrofuran. In Chapter Three and Four, it was experimentally determined that there was not only the ejection of large concentrations of salt solutes but also the preferential uptake of anions over cations in ice. This was found to be in agreement with previous computational studies through the application of the analytical technique, capillary electrophoresis, where the concentration of ions was determined from melted ice boules. In Chapter Five, the ideal concentration of gas hydrate formation was studied through the analysis of melted gas hydrates and compared to the concentrated bath solutions with vibrational spectroscopy, namely attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. Additionally, interfacial interactions for tetrahydrofuran gas hydrates and aqueous tetrahydrofuran solutions were analyzed using the surface-specific spectroscopic technique, vibrational sum-frequency generation. Although many challenges were faced in the analysis of the surface properties of gas hydrates, a framework for future studies was established. From these various analytical and spectroscopic studies, it was determined that the inclusions of atoms and molecules in ice do occur contradicting the self-purification theory and resulting in structural changes within the ice. Furthermore, the incorporation of ions can inform the development of cryopreservation techniques and desalination studies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Sivells, Tiara, 1998-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cyran, Jenée D.

• Water.
• Ice.
• Inclusion.
• Salt.
• Gas hydrate.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13944

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13944