Work

Crystal–Liquid Interfacial Free Energy on Extremely Supersaturated Aqueous Solutions Using a Containerless Method

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Crystal–liquid interfacial free energy (IFE) is a crucial parameter that elucidates the nucleation phenomenon and multiple crystallization pathways. In this article, we report the IFE of extremely supersaturated aqueous KH 2 PO 4 (KDP) and NH 4 H 2 PO 4 solutions using the electrostatic levitation technique. We measure the volume, concentration, and density of the levitated solution droplets as a function of time and supersaturation as well as their Raman spectra. We find that the IFE of the metastable KDP crystal is smaller than that of a stable KDP crystal, explaining the formation of a metastable KDP crystal in the highly supersaturated KDP solution prior to the formation of a stable KDP crystal. This result supports that the similar molecular structure of the H 2 PO 4 anion cluster facilitates the formation of the metastable KDP crystal rather than the stable KDP crystal in a highly supersaturated solution.

Source: Crystal Growth & Design

DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.4c00851

Authors: Yong Chan Cho, Lei Wang, Yun-Hee Lee, Geun Woo Lee

Institutions: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Korea University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Crystallization and Solubility Studies

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, National Research Council of Science and Technology