Homogeneous Nucleation in Supersaturated Vapors of n-Nonane

Abstract

The upward thermal diffusion cloud chamber was used to measure the supersaturations of n-nonane vapors required to cause an observed rate of homogeneous nucleation of 1 droplet/cm3 s. New temperature-dependent correlations for the surface tension and the density of n-nonane have been applied in theoretical prediction of the corresponding supersaturation. The measurements are found to be in reasonable agreement with the predictions of the classical (Becker-Doering) theory whereas both the Dillmann-Meier and the Girshick-Chiu theories lead to a significant underestimation of supersaturation in the whole range of temperatures measured.