Colloidal systems for crystallization processes from liquid phase

Abstract

Colloidal systems are involved in crystallization processes in many different ways: on one hand, colloids may be used as controlling or structure-directing agents, as nanoreactors and as scaffolds and templates for crystallization. On the other hand, it is very often desirable to obtain colloidal particles in a crystalline or nanocrystalline state. In this highlight, we cover the challenges and the recent advances on the following topics: (i) the use of polymer colloids as additives for crystallization due to their ability to control nucleation and growth and even to promote enantiomer resolution by enantioselective crystallization; (ii) state of the art in the preparation of inorganic crystalline colloids; and (iii) the application of colloidal systems (i.e., colloidal particles, droplets, micelles and vesicles) as supports, templates and nanoreactors for inorganic crystallization.