Critical View on Dielectric Constant Changes in Solid and Liquid Nonanol

Abstract The report presents evidence for the long-range premelting effect, with a well-defined critical-like scaling pattern, in the dielectric constant (ε) of solid nonanol, extending even ∼40 K below the melting temperature Tm, namely, ε(T)∝1/(T* – T), the singular temperature T* ≈ Tm + 0.4 K. This is supplemented by tests in liquid nonanal showing exceptional evidence for a simple scaling relation ε(T) = a + b/T, a,b = const. The experiment also revealed unique Mossotti Catastrophe type behavior in liquid nanolayers between crystalline grains in the premelting domain. It can be associated with rising negative pressure, finally leading to abrupt implosive ultragranulation and liquidation at Tm. For the applied experimental method, the response of quasi-liquid nanolayers is qualitatively greater than that from crystalline grains in the premelting region. This is consistent with the Lipowsky model [ Phys. Rev. Lett.1982, 49, 1575.], suggesting the criticality of nanoconstrained quasi-liquid layers between solid plates.