Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix
Classical nucleation theory (CNT), which was established about 90 years ago, represents the most commonly used theory in describing nucleation processes. For a fluid-to-solid phase transition, CNT states that the solutes in a supersaturated solution reversibly form small clusters. Once a cluster rea...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Crystals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/11/2/174 |
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| author | Fajun Zhang José A. Gavira Geun Woo Lee Dirk Zahn |
| author_facet | Fajun Zhang José A. Gavira Geun Woo Lee Dirk Zahn |
| author_sort | Fajun Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Classical nucleation theory (CNT), which was established about 90 years ago, represents the most commonly used theory in describing nucleation processes. For a fluid-to-solid phase transition, CNT states that the solutes in a supersaturated solution reversibly form small clusters. Once a cluster reaches its critical size, it becomes thermodynamically stable and is favored for further growth. One of the most important assumptions of CNT is that the nucleation process is described by one reaction coordinate and all order parameters proceed simultaneously. Recent studies in experiments, computer simulations, and theory have revealed nonclassical features in the early stage of nucleation. In particular, the decoupling of order parameters involved during a fluid-to-solid transition leads to the so-called two-step nucleation mechanism, in which a metastable intermediate phase (MIP) exists in parallel to the initial supersaturated solution and the final crystals. These MIPs can be high-density liquid phases, mesoscopic clusters, or preordered states. In this Special Issue, we focus on the role of the various MIPs in the early stage of crystal nucleation of organic materials, metals and alloys, aqueous solutions, minerals, colloids, and proteins, and thus on various scenarios of nonclassical pathways of crystallization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:54:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aa1589a957cd4bc1a9e3caaa673a60e7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4352 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:54:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Crystals |
| spelling | doaj.art-aa1589a957cd4bc1a9e3caaa673a60e72023-12-03T13:07:11ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522021-02-0111217410.3390/cryst11020174Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial PrefixFajun Zhang0José A. Gavira1Geun Woo Lee2Dirk Zahn3Institut für Angewandte Physik, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, GermanyLaboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos, IACT, (CSIC-UGR), Av. de las Palmeras, 4, Armilla, 18100 Granada, SpainFrontier of Extreme Physics, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, 209 Gajeong-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon 305-340, KoreaComputer Chemie Centrum, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) Nägelsbachstrasse 25, 91052 Erlangen, GermanyClassical nucleation theory (CNT), which was established about 90 years ago, represents the most commonly used theory in describing nucleation processes. For a fluid-to-solid phase transition, CNT states that the solutes in a supersaturated solution reversibly form small clusters. Once a cluster reaches its critical size, it becomes thermodynamically stable and is favored for further growth. One of the most important assumptions of CNT is that the nucleation process is described by one reaction coordinate and all order parameters proceed simultaneously. Recent studies in experiments, computer simulations, and theory have revealed nonclassical features in the early stage of nucleation. In particular, the decoupling of order parameters involved during a fluid-to-solid transition leads to the so-called two-step nucleation mechanism, in which a metastable intermediate phase (MIP) exists in parallel to the initial supersaturated solution and the final crystals. These MIPs can be high-density liquid phases, mesoscopic clusters, or preordered states. In this Special Issue, we focus on the role of the various MIPs in the early stage of crystal nucleation of organic materials, metals and alloys, aqueous solutions, minerals, colloids, and proteins, and thus on various scenarios of nonclassical pathways of crystallization.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/11/2/174nonclassical nucleation theorymetastable intermediates |
| spellingShingle | Fajun Zhang José A. Gavira Geun Woo Lee Dirk Zahn Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix Crystals nonclassical nucleation theory metastable intermediates |
| title | Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix |
| title_full | Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix |
| title_fullStr | Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix |
| title_short | Nonclassical Nucleation—Role of Metastable Intermediate Phase in Crystal Nucleation: An Editorial Prefix |
| title_sort | nonclassical nucleation role of metastable intermediate phase in crystal nucleation an editorial prefix |
| topic | nonclassical nucleation theory metastable intermediates |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/11/2/174 |
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