Articles producció científica> Química Física i Inorgànica

Real-time molecular scale observation of crystal formation

  • Identification data

    Identifier: imarina:3669093
    Authors:
    Schreiber, Roy E.Houben, LotharWolf, Sharon G.Leitus, GregoryLang, Zhong-LingCarbo, Jorge J.Poblet, Josep M.Neumann, Ronny
    Abstract:
    How molecules in solution form crystal nuclei, which then grow into large crystals, is a poorly understood phenomenon. The classical mechanism of homogeneous crystal nucleation proceeds via the spontaneous random aggregation of species from liquid or solution. However, a non-classical mechanism suggests the formation of an amorphous dense phase that reorders to form stable crystal nuclei. So far it has remained an experimental challenge to observe the formation of crystal nuclei from five to thirty molecules. Here, using polyoxometallates, we show that the formation of small crystal nuclei is observable by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. We observe both classical and non-classical nucleation processes, depending on the identity of the cation present. The experiments verify theoretical studies that suggest non-classical nucleation is the lower of the two energy pathways. The arrangement in just a seven-molecule proto-crystal matches the order found by X-ray diffraction of a single bulk crystal, which demonstrates that the same structure was formed in each case.
  • Others:

    Author, as appears in the article.: Schreiber, Roy E.; Houben, Lothar; Wolf, Sharon G.; Leitus, Gregory; Lang, Zhong-Ling; Carbo, Jorge J.; Poblet, Josep M.; Neumann, Ronny;
    Department: Química Física i Inorgànica
    URV's Author/s: Carbó Martin, Jorge Juan / Poblet Rius, Josep Maria
    Keywords: Climate action
    Abstract: How molecules in solution form crystal nuclei, which then grow into large crystals, is a poorly understood phenomenon. The classical mechanism of homogeneous crystal nucleation proceeds via the spontaneous random aggregation of species from liquid or solution. However, a non-classical mechanism suggests the formation of an amorphous dense phase that reorders to form stable crystal nuclei. So far it has remained an experimental challenge to observe the formation of crystal nuclei from five to thirty molecules. Here, using polyoxometallates, we show that the formation of small crystal nuclei is observable by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. We observe both classical and non-classical nucleation processes, depending on the identity of the cation present. The experiments verify theoretical studies that suggest non-classical nucleation is the lower of the two energy pathways. The arrangement in just a seven-molecule proto-crystal matches the order found by X-ray diffraction of a single bulk crystal, which demonstrates that the same structure was formed in each case.
    Thematic Areas: Química Materiais Interdisciplinar General medicine General chemistry General chemical engineering Chemistry, multidisciplinary Chemistry (miscellaneous) Chemistry (all) Chemical engineering (miscellaneous) Chemical engineering (all)
    licence for use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/
    Author's mail: josepmaria.poblet@urv.cat j.carbo@urv.cat
    Author identifier: 0000-0002-4533-0623 0000-0002-3945-6721
    Record's date: 2024-11-16
    Papper version: info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion
    Link to the original source: https://www.nature.com/articles/nchem.2675
    Licence document URL: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/
    Papper original source: Nature Chemistry. 9 (4): 369-373
    APA: Schreiber, Roy E.; Houben, Lothar; Wolf, Sharon G.; Leitus, Gregory; Lang, Zhong-Ling; Carbo, Jorge J.; Poblet, Josep M.; Neumann, Ronny; (2017). Real-time molecular scale observation of crystal formation. Nature Chemistry, 9(4), 369-373. DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2675
    Article's DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2675
    Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili
    Journal publication year: 2017
    Publication Type: Journal Publications
  • Keywords:

    Chemical Engineering (Miscellaneous),Chemistry (Miscellaneous),Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
    Climate action
    Química
    Materiais
    Interdisciplinar
    General medicine
    General chemistry
    General chemical engineering
    Chemistry, multidisciplinary
    Chemistry (miscellaneous)
    Chemistry (all)
    Chemical engineering (miscellaneous)
    Chemical engineering (all)
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