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Manipulating Single Microdroplets of NaCl Solutions: Solvent Dissolution, Microcrystallization, and Crystal
Anders Utoft1, Koji Kinoshita1, Deborah L Bitterfield2
1Center for Single Particle Science and Engineering (SPSE), Health Sciences , University of Southern Denmark , Odense 5230 , Denmark.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|March 7, 2018
Summary
A novel micropipette technique enables precise study of supersaturated salt microdroplets. This method quantifies critical supersaturation and saturation concentrations, advancing understanding of nucleation and crystal growth dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Studying supersaturated solutions and crystal formation at the microscale is challenging.
- Existing methods lack the precision to analyze single microdroplets in situ.
- Understanding nucleation and dissolution kinetics is crucial for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a new micropipette technique for manipulating nanogram quantities of salt.
- To measure in situ supersaturation and saturation concentrations of NaCl microdroplets.
- To investigate the influence of solvent activity and medium on microcrystal formation and dissolution.
Main Methods:
- Development of a three-micropipette manipulation technique for microdroplet formation, dehydration, crystallization, and redissolution.
- In situ measurement of homogeneous nucleation and microcrystal redissolution using the micropipette setup.
- Application of the Epstein-Plesset (EP) model to describe diffusion-controlled water uptake.
- Comparative analysis of NaCl microdroplet behavior in octanol versus decane bathing media.
Main Results:
- Measured critical supersaturation concentration for NaCl nucleation (10.3 ± 0.3 M) at S = 1.9.
- Determined saturation concentration of NaCl (5.5 ± 0.1 M) using nanogram quantities.
- Quantified the diffusion coefficient of water in octanol (D = (1.96 ± 0.10) × 10^-6 cm^2/s).
- Observed distinct crystal structures (dendritic in octanol, cubic in decane) due to differences in solvent activity and dissolution rates.
- Validated the extended Epstein-Plesset model for water uptake in single microdroplets.
Conclusions:
- The three-micropipette technique is effective for studying microscale solution phenomena.
- Solvent properties significantly impact nucleation, crystal growth, and dissolution kinetics.
- The Epstein-Plesset model, extended for activity, accurately describes water uptake.
- This methodology is applicable to diverse systems, including drug delivery and hydrogel formation.
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