Unravelling the cleavage-rate relationship from both the experimental and theoretical standpoint: The instance of...

The phenomenon of solid dissolution into a solution constitutes a fundamental aspect in both natural and industrial contexts. Nevertheless, its intricate nature at the microscale poses a significant challenge for precise quantitative characterization at a foundational level. In this work, the influence across three specific cleavage planes, namely (100), (111), and (110) on the dissolution kinetics of fluorite in aqueous environments was examined from both experimental and theoretical standpoints. For the very first time, the surface potential of fluorite planes during dissolution was measured by means of a fluorite single-crystal electrode. Experimental results indicate that the dissolution of fluorite leads to a marked increase in surface roughness as well as an augmentation in the surface area of all analyzed surfaces. The most significant alteration in roughness is observed on the (111) plane, whereas the most substantial increase in surface area occurs on the (110) plane. In comparison to the (100) crystallographic plane, which demonstrates the slowest dissolution kinetics, the (111) and (110) planes display dissolution at a comparatively expedited rate. Theoretical simulations corroborate this trend, concurrently facilitating an effective examination of the system's free-energy landscape to analyze the dynamics and rates associated with the attachment and detachment of ions to the fluorite surface. Notably, the presence of interfacial defects has the potential to influence the free energy landscape, thereby altering the transition of ions into the bulk solution. Ultimately, the interplay of correlations and discrepancies between experimental findings and theoretical predictions is critically examined.