scholarly journals Reversible disorder-order transitions in atomic crystal nucleation

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 371 (6528) ◽  
pp. 498-503
Author(s):  
Sungho Jeon ◽  
Taeyeong Heo ◽  
Sang-Yeon Hwang ◽  
Jim Ciston ◽  
Karen C. Bustillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Gold Nanocrystals ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
In Situ Electron Microscopy ◽  
Nucleation Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Fluctuations

Nucleation in atomic crystallization remains poorly understood, despite advances in classical nucleation theory. The nucleation process has been described to involve a nonclassical mechanism that includes a spontaneous transition from disordered to crystalline states, but a detailed understanding of dynamics requires further investigation. In situ electron microscopy of heterogeneous nucleation of individual gold nanocrystals with millisecond temporal resolution shows that the early stage of atomic crystallization proceeds through dynamic structural fluctuations between disordered and crystalline states, rather than through a single irreversible transition. Our experimental and theoretical analyses support the idea that structural fluctuations originate from size-dependent thermodynamic stability of the two states in atomic clusters. These findings, based on dynamics in a real atomic system, reshape and improve our understanding of nucleation mechanisms in atomic crystallization.

An in Situ Hrem Study of Crystal Nucleation in Amorphous Silicon thin Films

1990 ◽  
Vol 202 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Kirtikar ◽  
J. Morgiel ◽  
R. Sinclair ◽  
I-W. Wu ◽  
A. Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Interface Reactions ◽  
Silicon Thin Films ◽  
Resolution Electron

ABSTRACTIn Situ high resolution electron microscopy has proved to be a valuable tool in investigations involving interface reactions in a number of thin film systems. We have applied this technique to dynamically record nucleation and growth sequences during the amorphous (a-) to crystalline (c-) phase transformation in silicon thin films. Interpretation of the recordings has yielded a wealth of information on the mechanisms and to some extent the kinetics of solid phase crystallization. In our recordings, we have been able to capture the critical nucleus at the a-Si-SiO2 interface. Incorporating this into classical nucleation theory enables us to make an estimate of the a-Si-c-Si interfacial energy.

scholarly journals Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix

Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Fajun Zhang ◽  
José A. Gavira ◽  
Geun Woo Lee ◽  
Dirk Zahn
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Phase ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Order Parameters ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Supersaturated Solution ◽  
Liquid Phases

Classical nucleation theory (CNT), which was established about 90 years ago, represents the most commonly used theory in describing nucleation processes. For a fluid-to-solid phase transition, CNT states that the solutes in a supersaturated solution reversibly form small clusters. Once a cluster reaches its critical size, it becomes thermodynamically stable and is favored for further growth. One of the most important assumptions of CNT is that the nucleation process is described by one reaction coordinate and all order parameters proceed simultaneously. Recent studies in experiments, computer simulations, and theory have revealed nonclassical features in the early stage of nucleation. In particular, the decoupling of order parameters involved during a fluid-to-solid transition leads to the so-called two-step nucleation mechanism, in which a metastable intermediate phase (MIP) exists in parallel to the initial supersaturated solution and the final crystals. These MIPs can be high-density liquid phases, mesoscopic clusters, or preordered states. In this Special Issue, we focus on the role of the various MIPs in the early stage of crystal nucleation of organic materials, metals and alloys, aqueous solutions, minerals, colloids, and proteins, and thus on various scenarios of nonclassical pathways of crystallization.

Concluding remarks

2015 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 543-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan S. Myerson
Keyword(s):  
Crystallization Process ◽  
Crystal Form ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Nucleation Process ◽  
Nucleation Mechanisms ◽  
Process Work ◽  
And Control ◽  
Crystallization From Solution

Crystallization from solution is a crucial process used in the manufacture of a wide variety of materials. The first step in the crystallization process is the birth of a new crystalline phase, which is known as nucleation. Nucleation plays a key role in determining the results of any crystallization process with respect to the size, shape and crystal form obtained. Classical nucleation theory does not adequately explain the crystal nucleation process. Work described in the literature and at this Faraday Discussion describe more complex nucleation mechanisms which are generally known as two-step nucleation models. In addition, as most nucleation is influenced by dust, dirt and container surfaces, the importance of heterogeneous nucleation and the use of templates to accelerate nucleation and influence crystal form are promising methods for the study and control of nucleation. It is also clear from this Faraday Discussion that interest in this topic has grown, and new and novel experimental and modeling approaches are being used for the study of crystal nucleation from solution.

scholarly journals Pore-Scale Modeling of Mineral Growth and Nucleation in Reactive Flow

2022 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitalii Starchenko
Keyword(s):  
Reactive Transport ◽  
Surface Reaction ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Reactive Flow ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Pore Scale ◽  
Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian ◽  
Mineral Precipitation

A fundamental understanding of mineral precipitation kinetics relies largely on microscopic observations of the dynamics of mineral surfaces exposed to supersaturated solutions. Deconvolution of tightly bound transport, surface reaction, and crystal nucleation phenomena still remains one of the main challenges. Particularly, the influence of these processes on texture and morphology of mineral precipitate remains unclear. This study presents a coupling of pore-scale reactive transport modeling with the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach for tracking evolution of explicit solid interface during mineral precipitation. It incorporates a heterogeneous nucleation mechanism according to Classical Nucleation Theory which can be turned “on” or “off.” This approach allows us to demonstrate the role of nucleation on precipitate texture with a focus at micrometer scale. In this work precipitate formation is modeled on a 10 micrometer radius particle in reactive flow. The evolution of explicit interface accounts for the surface curvature which is crucial at this scale in the regime of emerging instabilities. The results illustrate how the surface reaction and reactive fluid flow affect the shape of precipitate on a solid particle. It is shown that nucleation promotes the formation of irregularly shaped precipitate and diminishes the effect of the flow on the asymmetry of precipitation around the particle. The observed differences in precipitate structure are expected to be an important benchmark for reaction-driven precipitation in natural environments.

scholarly journals The Effect of Hydrogen on Pore Formation in Aluminum Alloy Castings: Myth Versus Reality

Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Tiryakioğlu
Keyword(s):  
Pore Formation ◽  
Liquid Aluminum ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Fundamental Change ◽  
Aluminum Casting ◽  
Solid Aluminum ◽  
Alloy Castings ◽  
Casting Industry

The solubility of hydrogen in liquid and solid aluminum is reviewed. Based on classical nucleation theory, it is shown that pores cannot nucleate either homogeneously or heterogeneously in liquid aluminum. Results of in situ studies on pore formation show that pores appear at low hydrogen supersaturation levels, bypassing nucleation completely. The results are explained based on the bifilm theory introduced by Prof. John Campbell, as this theory is currently the most appropriate, and most likely, the only mechanism for pores to form. Examples for the effect of hydrogen on pore formation are given by using extreme data from the literature. It is concluded that a fundamental change in how hydrogen is viewed is needed in aluminum casting industry.

Nucleation and Glass Formation

1985 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Uhlmann ◽  
M. C. Weinberg
Keyword(s):  
Glass Formation ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Oxide Glass ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Nucleation Kinetics ◽  
Formation Behavior ◽  
Homogeneous Crystal ◽  
Exponential Factors

AbstractThe role of nucleation kinetics in affecting glass formation behavior is discussed. Also considered are measurements of homogeneous crystal nucleation in a variety of liquids. For a number of oxide glass-forming liquids, available data indicate pre-exponential factors which are larger than those predicted from classical nucleation theory by factors of 1017 to 1049. Possible sources of this discrepancy are discussed.

scholarly journals Entropy and the Tolman Parameter in Nucleation Theory

Entropy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürn W. P. Schmelzer ◽  
Alexander S. Abyzov ◽  
Vladimir G. Baidakov
Keyword(s):  
Surface Tension ◽  
Size Dependence ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Component Systems ◽  
Bulk Parameters ◽  
Curvature Dependence ◽  
Gibbs Theory

Thermodynamic aspects of the theory of nucleation are commonly considered employing Gibbs’ theory of interfacial phenomena and its generalizations. Utilizing Gibbs’ theory, the bulk parameters of the critical clusters governing nucleation can be uniquely determined for any metastable state of the ambient phase. As a rule, they turn out in such treatment to be widely similar to the properties of the newly-evolving macroscopic phases. Consequently, the major tool to resolve problems concerning the accuracy of theoretical predictions of nucleation rates and related characteristics of the nucleation process consists of an approach with the introduction of the size or curvature dependence of the surface tension. In the description of crystallization, this quantity has been expressed frequently via changes of entropy (or enthalpy) in crystallization, i.e., via the latent heat of melting or crystallization. Such a correlation between the capillarity phenomena and entropy changes was originally advanced by Stefan considering condensation and evaporation. It is known in the application to crystal nucleation as the Skapski–Turnbull relation. This relation, by mentioned reasons more correctly denoted as the Stefan–Skapski–Turnbull rule, was expanded by some of us quite recently to the description of the surface tension not only for phase equilibrium at planar interfaces, but to the description of the surface tension of critical clusters and its size or curvature dependence. This dependence is frequently expressed by a relation derived by Tolman. As shown by us, the Tolman equation can be employed for the description of the surface tension not only for condensation and boiling in one-component systems caused by variations of pressure (analyzed by Gibbs and Tolman), but generally also for phase formation caused by variations of temperature. Beyond this particular application, it can be utilized for multi-component systems provided the composition of the ambient phase is kept constant and variations of either pressure or temperature do not result in variations of the composition of the critical clusters. The latter requirement is one of the basic assumptions of classical nucleation theory. For this reason, it is only natural to use it also for the specification of the size dependence of the surface tension. Our method, relying on the Stefan–Skapski–Turnbull rule, allows one to determine the dependence of the surface tension on pressure and temperature or, alternatively, the Tolman parameter in his equation. In the present paper, we expand this approach and compare it with alternative methods of the description of the size-dependence of the surface tension and, as far as it is possible to use the Tolman equation, of the specification of the Tolman parameter. Applying these ideas to condensation and boiling, we derive a relation for the curvature dependence of the surface tension covering the whole range of metastable initial states from the binodal curve to the spinodal curve.

scholarly journals Multiple pathways of crystal nucleation in an extremely supersaturated aqueous potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) solution droplet

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (48) ◽  
pp. 13618-13623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sooheyong Lee ◽  
Haeng Sub Wi ◽  
Wonhyuk Jo ◽  
Yong Chan Cho ◽  
Hyun Hwi Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Level ◽  
Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate ◽  
Nucleation Theory ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Classical Nucleation Theory ◽  
Dihydrogen Phosphate ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Liquid Phases ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Solution Studies

Solution studies have proposed that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than previously expected in classical nucleation theory, such as formation of prenucleation clusters or densified amorphous/liquid phases. These findings show that it is possible to separate fluctuations in the different order parameters governing crystal nucleation, that is, density and structure. However, a direct observation of the multipathways from aqueous solutions remains a great challenge because heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls, can prevent these paths. Here, we demonstrate the existence of multiple pathways of nucleation in highly supersaturated aqueous KH2PO4(KDP) solution using the combination of a containerless device (electrostatic levitation), and in situ micro-Raman and synchrotron X-ray scattering. Specifically, we find that, at an unprecedentedly deep level of supersaturation, a high-concentration KDP solution first transforms into a metastable crystal before reaching stability at room temperature. However, a low-concentration solution, with different local structures, directly transforms into the stable crystal phase. These apparent multiple pathways of crystallization depend on the degree of supersaturation.

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