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Crystal growth kinetics exhibit a fragility-dependent decoupling from viscosity
M D Ediger1, Peter Harrowell, Lian Yu
1Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|January 22, 2008
Summary
The kinetic coefficient for crystal growth depends on liquid fragility and shear viscosity. This relationship reveals insights into heterogeneous dynamics in supercooled liquids and crystal formation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Crystal growth from supercooled liquids is crucial in materials science.
- Understanding the kinetic coefficient is key to controlling crystallization processes.
- Liquid dynamics significantly influence crystal growth rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the temperature dependence of the kinetic coefficient for crystal growth.
- To investigate the relationship between the kinetic coefficient, shear viscosity, and liquid fragility.
- To explore the role of heterogeneous dynamics in supercooled liquids.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of kinetic coefficient data across diverse organic and inorganic materials.
- Correlation of crystal growth kinetics with shear viscosity (eta).
- Examination of the exponent (xi) dependence on liquid fragility.
Main Results:
- The kinetic coefficient scales with shear viscosity as eta(-xi).
- The exponent xi systematically varies with liquid fragility.
- A breakdown in scaling suggests heterogeneous dynamics in supercooled liquids.
- Crystal growth rates correlate with the liquid-crystal entropy difference.
Conclusions:
- Liquid fragility is a critical factor governing crystal growth kinetics.
- Heterogeneous dynamics in supercooled liquids explain deviations from simple scaling.
- Entropy difference provides additional correlation for crystal growth rates.
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