VAPOR-PHASE HOMOGENEOUS NUCLEATION OF ACETONITRILE - THE EFFECT OF DIPOLE DIPOLE INTERACTION

The critical supersaturation (S(c)) required for the homogeneous nucleation of CH3CN vapor has been measured over the temperature range 240-300 K by use of a diffusion cloud chamber. The experimental results are in serious disagreement with the predictions of the classical nucleation theory. The discrepancy has been explained in terms of dipole-dipole interaction within the curved surface of the embryonic droplets. This correction seems to be necessary to explain the homogeneous nucleation of highly polar liquids (mu < 3 D).