Interfacial crystallization appears as a crucial stage in the numeral natural phenomena and technological applications, such as industry of semi-conductors and manufacturing of nano-whiskers. Interfacial aspects of heterogeneous crystallization are surveyed. The review is focused on the interplay of thermodynamic and geometric aspects of the interfacial crystallization. Thermodynamic considerations leading to the Wulff construction are discussed. Equilibrium shape of the crystallized particle in the contact with a foreign substrate giving rise to the Winterbottom construction is treated. The concept of equivalent equilibrium contact angle θ_eq is introduced. The equivalent contact angle θ_eq applicable for isotropic crystals does not depend neither on the volume of the crystallized particles nor on the external fields. Bulk contributions to the free energy of the particle such as the bulk heat release in the case of reactive contact or latent heat of crystallization do not influence the equivalent contact angle θ_eq. Application of the Winterbottom constructions for prediction of the shape of nanoparticles grown on solid substrates is treated. Thermodynamics of interfacial crystallization is discussed. The thermodynamic condition predicting when surface crystallization is thermodynamically favored over homogeneous (bulk) crystallization is supplied. This thermodynamic relation coincides with the condition prescribing the partial wetting of a solid by its melt. Interfacial crystallization in its relation to the “coffee-stain” effect, salt creeping and development of anti-icing surfaces is addressed. Interfacial aspects of epitaxial growth of crystals are considered. The current state-of-art in the field is reviewed.

界面结晶是半导体工业和纳米晶须制造等数字自然现象和技术应用的关键阶段。调查了异质结晶的界面方面。该评论的重点是界面结晶的热力学和几何方面的相互作用。讨论了导致 Wulff 构造的热力学考虑。处理结晶颗粒与外来基材接触时的平衡形状，从而形成 Winterbottom 结构。引入了等效平衡接触角θ _eq的概念。等效接触角θ _eq适用于各向同性晶体的方法既不取决于结晶粒子的体积也不取决于外部场。对粒子自由能的整体贡献，例如在反应接触或结晶潜热的情况下的整体放热不影响等效接触角θ _eq. 讨论了 Winterbottom 结构在预测固体基质上生长的纳米粒子形状中的应用。讨论了界面结晶的热力学。提供了预测何时表面结晶在热力学上优于均相（本体）结晶的热力学条件。这种热力学关系与规定固体被其熔体部分润湿的条件一致。解决了与“咖啡渍”效应、盐蠕变和防冰表面发展相关的界面结晶。考虑了晶体外延生长的界面方面。审查了该领域的当前技术水平。