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Related Concept Videos

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization01:25

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

6.0K
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

4.7K
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

6.6K
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...
6.6K
Solution Equilibrium and Saturation01:59

Solution Equilibrium and Saturation

22.7K
Imagine adding a small amount of sugar to a glass of water, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved, and then adding a bit more. You can repeat this process until the sugar concentration of the solution reaches its natural limit, a limit determined primarily by the relative strengths of the solute-solute, solute-solvent, and solvent-solvent attractive forces. You can be certain that you have reached this limit because, no matter how long you stir the solution, undissolved sugar remains. The...
22.7K
Colloidal precipitates01:09

Colloidal precipitates

6.8K
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...
6.8K
Types of Coprecipitation01:10

Types of Coprecipitation

7.0K
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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Optimization of Crystal Growth for Neutron Macromolecular Crystallography

Published on: March 13, 2021

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Crystal Nucleation without Supersaturation.

T Kovács1, F C Meldrum1, H K Christenson1

  • 1†School of Physics and Astronomy and ‡School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|August 20, 2015
PubMed
Summary

This study demonstrates a novel two-step crystal deposition mechanism from saturated vapor, bypassing supersaturation. It involves liquid condensation and subsequent nucleation, challenging classical nucleation theory (CNT).

Keywords:
capillary condensationcrystal depositioncrystal nucleationcrystallizationheterogeneoushomogeneous

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Crystallography

Background:

  • Classical nucleation theory (CNT) explains crystal formation from vapor or solution via direct nucleus formation.
  • CNT posits supersaturation is essential for direct vapor deposition of crystals.
  • Existing models do not account for crystal formation under saturated vapor conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally demonstrate a two-step crystal deposition mechanism from vapor.
  • To investigate crystal nucleation under saturated vapor conditions, challenging CNT.
  • To explore alternative pathways for crystal formation on solid surfaces.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental observation of crystal deposition from vapor.
  • Utilizing surface cavities for condensation.
  • Monitoring nucleation and growth in condensed phases.

Main Results:

  • First experimental evidence of a two-step crystal deposition mechanism from saturated vapor.
  • Crystal deposition observed without supersaturation, contradicting CNT predictions.
  • Mechanism involves condensation of supercooled liquid in surface cavities, followed by crystal nucleation.

Conclusions:

  • Crystal deposition can occur via a two-step process involving a liquid intermediate, even from saturated vapor.
  • This finding expands our understanding of nucleation phenomena beyond classical theory.
  • The mechanism may be relevant to atmospheric ice nucleation and biomineralization.