Classical Crystallization Model: Nucleation and Growth

Abstract

The nucleation and growth process is a well-accepted model to describe several processes involving the crystallization of a condensed phase. This model can be applied to describe the crystallization process of single elements such as metal, where the liquid phase and the crystalline phase present the same chemical composition, as well as the crystallization of covalent and ionic crystals processed by wet chemical route. In this case, the process is much more complicated due to the presence of different chemical composition and, consequently, a chemical potential between the solid phase and the liquid phase.