Growth mechanism of NaClO3 and NaBrO3 crystals from aqueous solutions

Abstract

A study of growth rates of NaClO3 and NaBrO3 has been carried out using a small growth cell by in situ observation. Normal growth rates of {100} faces of NaClO3 and {111} faces of NaBrO3 along (110) direction are measured under relatively high supersaturation ranging from 3-8%. In the Initial stages of growth, {100}, {110} and {111} faces develop In NaClO3 and gradually all the faces are replaced by the {100} faces only. In the case of NaBrO3, mostly {111} faces develop with occasional occurrence of small {100} faces at the Intersection of {111} faces. The growth mechanisms are Investigated from growth rate vs supersaturation plots and from the observations of surface features. In the present supersaturation range, the growth mechanism appears to be due to two-dimensional growth mechanism. © Indian Academy of Sciences.