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Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
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The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael acceptor.

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Step-growth or condensation polymerization is a stepwise reaction of bi or multifunctional monomers to form long-chain polymers. As all the monomers are reactive, most of the monomers are consumed at the early stages of the reaction to form small chains of reactive oligomers, which then combine to form long polymer chains in the late stages. Hence, the reaction has to proceed for a long time to achieve high molecular weight polymers.
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The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...

Radical Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

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The radical chain-growth polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination of polymerization. The polymerization initiates when a free radical generated from the radical initiator adds to the unsaturated bond in the monomer. The unpaired electron of the free radical and one π electron in the unsaturated bond creates a σ bond between the free radical and the monomer. As a result, the other π electron in the unsaturated bond converts this species into the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

Published on: June 20, 2019

Rhythmic crystal growth into hierarchical patterns by polymer-mediated self-assembly.

Kurt P Pernstich¹, Rebekka Ginés, Walter R Caseri

¹Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland. pernstich@alumni.ethz.ch

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|January 20, 2011

Summary

Researchers developed a simple method for creating ordered, hierarchical structures using slow solvent evaporation. This technique controls crystal growth and pattern formation across multiple length scales, from atomic to centimeter levels.

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Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Chemical Engineering
Crystallography

Background:

Controlled self-assembly of ordered and hierarchical structures is crucial for advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Existing methods often face challenges in achieving precise control over multiple length scales.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a straightforward method for generating centimeter-scale, hierarchically ordered structures.
To elucidate the mechanism controlling crystal growth and pattern formation during solvent evaporation.

Main Methods:

Utilizing a polymer solution blended with a crystal-forming species (Krogmann's salt).
Employing slow solvent evaporation to induce a progressing solidification zone.
Analyzing the influence of viscosity changes and diffusion rates on crystal growth and orientation.

Main Results:

The progressing solidification zone precisely controls crystal growth by modulating diffusion rates.
Achieved preferential crystallographic orientation on a centimeter scale.
Demonstrated hierarchical ordering across five distinct levels, from atomic to microscale and centimeter scale.

Conclusions:

The described method offers a simple yet effective approach for bottom-up fabrication of complex, ordered structures.
Findings enhance the understanding of periodic precipitation processes for materials design.
Potential applications in developing novel materials with tailored hierarchical architectures.