Formation of water–ammonia ice on graphite studied by elastic helium scattering

Helium and light scattering experiments have been performed to study the formation of water–ammonia ice layers on graphite at 110–160 K. Ice formation is mainly governed by the partial water pressure, but the presence of ammonia enhances the formation rate and influences the layer properties. Ice formed at temperatures <140 K wets the surface, while ice formed at higher temperatures does not. At temperatures around 140 K ammonia destabilizes the two-dimensional ice layers and a dewetting transition is observed at a surface coverage of 90–95%.