Deconstructing Temperature Gradients across Fluid Interfaces: The Structural Origin of the Thermal Resistance of Liquid-Vapor Interfaces
File(s)
Accepted version
Supporting information
OA Location
Author(s)
Muscatello, J
Chacon, E
Tarazona, P
Bresme, F
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The interfacial thermal resistance determines condensation-evaporation processes and thermal transport across material-fluid interfaces. Despite its importance in transport processes, the interfacial structure responsible for the thermal resistance is still unknown. By combining nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and interfacial analyses that remove the interfacial thermal fluctuations we show that the thermal resistance of liquid-vapor interfaces is connected to a low density fluid layer that is adsorbed at the liquid surface. This thermal resistance layer (TRL) defines the boundary where the thermal transport mechanism changes from that of gases (ballistic) to that characteristic of dense liquids, dominated by frequent particle collisions involving very short mean free paths. We show that the thermal conductance is proportional to the number of atoms adsorbed in the TRL, and hence we explain the structural origin of the thermal resistance in liquid-vapor interfaces.
Date Issued
2017-07-25
Date Acceptance
2017-07-01
Citation
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 2017, 119 (4)
ISSN
0031-9007
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
Volume
119
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2017 American Physical Society
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000406328300011&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/J003859/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
NONEQUILIBRIUM MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS
TRANSPORT
HEAT
SIMULATIONS
COMPUTATION
02 Physical Sciences
General Physics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 045901