Thermodynamic modelling of adsorbed layers in solution growth

Abstract

An expression for the dependence of concentration of growth units in the adsorbed layer of a crystal growing from solution is derived. This formal thermodynamic expression comprises three enthalpy increments: the increment for transfer of growth units from kink to ad-layer, the increment for desorption of solvent to make room for the additional growth units in the ad-layer, and the increment for dissolution to re-establish saturation of the solution following desorption of solvent. A few simplifying assumptions are considered, and examples of applications on non-electrolyte and electrolyte crystals are given. An expression for the dependence of concentration of growth units in the adsorbed layer of a crystal growing from solution is derived. This formal thermodynamic expression comprises three enthalpy increments: the increment for transfer of growth units from kink to ad-layer, the increment for desorption of solvent to make room for the additional growth units in the ad-layer, and the increment for dissolution to re-establish saturation of the solution following desorption of solvent. A few simplifying assumptions are considered, and examples of applications on non-electrolyte and electrolyte crystals are given. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.