Free energy of crystal-liquid interface

it is demonstrated that a simple model, free of any adjustable parameter, c an be developed to predict the free energy of a crystal-liquid interface si gma(sl) based on the Gibbs-Thomson equation and a model for the size-depend ent melting temperature. This model has improved Turnbull's empirical equat ion. In the model, sigma(sl) depends on not only the melting enthalpy of cr ystals, but also the vibrational component of the overall melting entropy o f the crystals. The predicted values of sigma(sl) for different types of cr ystals, such as true metals, meta metals, semiconductors, ionic crystals an d organic crystals, are confirmed by available experimental results in the experimental error range. (C): 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.