A simple model of burst nucleation

Area of Science:

• Physical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Burst nucleation (BN) is a kinetic pathway in self-assembly and crystallization characterized by a distinct induction period followed by rapid nucleation.
• Understanding BN is crucial for controlling material properties in various applications, including thin-film deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive quantitative treatment for burst nucleation kinetics.
• To incorporate a concentration-dependent critical nucleus size and subcritical cluster population density into a nucleation model.
• To validate the model against experimental data and demonstrate its generalizability.

Main Methods:

• A hybrid mean-field rate equation model was developed, integrating classical nucleation theory for saturated solvents.
• The model self-consistently determines the critical nucleus size and subcritical cluster population density.
• The model was applied to experimental data from tetracene film crystallization via organic vapor-liquid-solid deposition.

Main Results:

• The model provides a quantitative description of burst nucleation kinetics.
• Good agreement was observed between model predictions and experimental crystallization in tetracene films.
• The model utilizes a single, physically meaningful adjustable parameter.

Conclusions:

• The developed model offers a robust framework for understanding and predicting burst nucleation phenomena.
• The model's success with tetracene crystallization suggests its applicability to other self-organizing systems exhibiting BN kinetics.
• This work advances the quantitative treatment of nucleation processes in materials science and physical chemistry.