Crystallization by particle attachment in synthetic, biogenic, and geologic environments

Field and laboratory observations show that crystals commonly form by the addition and attachment of particles that range from multi-ion complexes to fully formed nanoparticles. The particles involved in these nonclassical pathways to crystallization are diverse, in contrast to classical models that consider only the addition of monomeric chemical species. We review progress toward understanding crystal growth by particle-attachment processes and show that multiple pathways result from the interplay of free-energy landscapes and reaction dynamics. Much remains unknown about the fundamental aspects, particularly the relationships between solution structure, interfacial forces, and particle motion. Developing a…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• WF
  Welch Foundation
• B
  Battelle
• NU
  Northwestern University
• HU
  Harvard University
• UO
  University of Minnesota
• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
• NO
  Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
• OO
  Office of Science
• RI
  Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University
• II
  International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Award: EP/H005374/1
• DO
  Division of Materials Research
• BE
  Basic Energy Sciences