# Spontaneous Imbibition Dynamics of an n-Alkane in Nanopores: Evidence of Meniscus Freezing and Monolayer Sticking

Source: [Spontaneous Imbibition Dynamics of an n-Alkane in Nanopores: Evidence of Meniscus Freezing and Monolayer Sticking](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa24292c2a3760193a0066>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-28T13:52:42.160Z

Authors: Simon Gruener, Patrick Huber

Published: 2009-10-22T13:22:15.000Z

## Abstract

Capillary filling dynamics of liquid n-tetracosane (n-C24H50) in a network of cylindrical pores with 7 and 10 nm mean diameter in monolithic silica glass (Vycor) exhibit an abrupt temperature-slope change at Ts=54 deg C, ~4 deg C above bulk and ~16 deg C, 8 deg C, respectively, above pore freezing. It can be traced to a sudden inversion of the surface tension's T slope, and thus to a decrease in surface entropy at the advancing pore menisci, characteristic of the formation of a single solid monolayer of rectified molecules, known as surface freezing from macroscopic, quiescent tetracosane melts. The imbibition speeds, that are the squared prefactors of the observed square-root-of-time Lucas-Washburn invasion kinetics, indicate a conserved bulk fluidity and capillarity of the nanopore-confined liquid, if we assume a flat lying, sticky hydrocarbon backbone monolayer at the silica walls.

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## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/0910.4324>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/0910.4324.pdf>)