Issue 7, 2014

Pre-nucleation clusters as solute precursors in crystallisation

Abstract

Crystallisation is at the heart of various scientific disciplines, but still the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying phase separation and the formation of the first solid particles in aqueous solution is rather limited. In this review, classical nucleation theory, as well as established concepts of spinodal decomposition and liquid–liquid demixing, is introduced together with a description of the recently proposed pre-nucleation cluster pathway. The features of pre-nucleation clusters are presented and discussed in relation to recent modifications of the classical and established models for phase separation, together with a review of experimental work and computer simulations on the characteristics of pre-nucleation clusters of calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, iron(oxy)(hydr)oxide, silica, and also amino acids as an example of small organic molecules. The role of pre-nucleation clusters as solute precursors in the emergence of a new phase is summarized, and the link between the chemical speciation of homogeneous solutions and the process of phase separation via pre-nucleation clusters is highlighted.

Graphical abstract: Pre-nucleation clusters as solute precursors in crystallisation

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
09 Dec 2013
First published
23 Jan 2014
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 2348-2371

Author version available

Pre-nucleation clusters as solute precursors in crystallisation

D. Gebauer, M. Kellermeier, J. D. Gale, L. Bergström and H. Cölfen, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, 43, 2348 DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60451A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements