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Related Concept Videos

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization01:25

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

5.7K
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.
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
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Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria01:10

Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria

4.1K
Recrystallization is a purification technique used to separate impurities from solid compounds. In this technique, no chemical reactions occur. Instead, it exploits physical properties only, specifically, the solubility differences between the desired compound and impurities, either at a single temperature or at different temperatures, and under other selected conditions. The solid-solution equilibrium (solubility equilibrium) of each component in the solution represents a binary phase...
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Precipitation Processes01:12

Precipitation Processes

5.0K
The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
5.0K
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control01:16

Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control

5.8K
In precipitation gravimetry, the precipitating agent should react specifically or selectively with the analyte. While a specific reagent reacts with the analyte alone, a selective reagent can react with a limited number of chemical species.
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
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Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

5.7K
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
5.7K
Types of Coprecipitation01:10

Types of Coprecipitation

5.5K
Coprecipitation is the contamination of a precipitate by otherwise soluble species and occurs via different processes. In colloidal precipitates, coprecipitation occurs via surface adsorption. For instance, barium sulfate has a primary layer of adsorbed barium ions and a secondary layer of nitrate counterions. This results in contamination of the precipitate by barium nitrate.
Sometimes, ions in a crystal lattice can undergo isomorphous replacement by inclusions of similar charge and size. For...
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Optimization of Crystal Growth for Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography
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Pre-nucleation clusters as solute precursors in crystallisation.

Denis Gebauer1, Matthias Kellermeier, Julian D Gale

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, Box 714, D-78464 Konstanz, Germany. denis.gebauer@uni-konstanz.de.

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Understanding how solid particles form from liquid solutions is crucial in many sciences. This review explores pre-nucleation clusters as key intermediates in phase separation, advancing classical nucleation theory.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Chemistry
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Crystallization is fundamental across scientific disciplines.
  • Molecular mechanisms of phase separation and initial solid particle formation in aqueous solutions remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review classical nucleation theory, spinodal decomposition, and liquid-liquid demixing.
  • To describe and discuss the recently proposed pre-nucleation cluster pathway.
  • To examine experimental and simulation data on pre-nucleation clusters for various substances.

Main Methods:

  • Review of classical nucleation theory and established phase separation models.
  • Description of the pre-nucleation cluster pathway.
  • Analysis of experimental and computational studies on pre-nucleation clusters.

Main Results:

  • Pre-nucleation clusters are identified as crucial intermediates in phase separation.
  • Features of pre-nucleation clusters are discussed in relation to modified classical and established models.
  • Data on pre-nucleation clusters of inorganic salts (calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, iron oxides, silica) and organic molecules (amino acids) are presented.

Conclusions:

  • Pre-nucleation clusters act as solute precursors for new phase emergence.
  • A link exists between solution chemical speciation and phase separation via pre-nucleation clusters.
  • This pathway offers a refined understanding of crystallization initiation.