1
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Ferreira J, Domínguez-Arca V, Carneiro J, Prieto G, Taboada P, Moreira de Campos J. Classical and Nonclassical Nucleation Mechanisms of Insulin Crystals. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:23364-23376. [PMID: 38854527 PMCID: PMC11154923 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Although the Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT) is the most consensual theory to explain protein nucleation mechanisms, experimental observations during the shear-induced assays suggest that the CNT does not always describe the insulin nucleation process. This is the case at intermediate precipitant (ZnCl2) solution concentrations (2.3 mM) and high-temperature values (20 and 40 °C) as well as at low precipitant solution concentrations (1.6 mM) and low-temperature values (5 °C). In this work, crystallization events following the CNT registered at high precipitant solution concentrations (3.1 and 4.7 mM) are typically described by a Newtonian response. On the other hand, crystallization events following a nonclassical nucleation pathway seem to involve the formation of a metastable intermediate state before crystal formation and are described by a transition from Newtonian to shear-thinning responses. A dominant shear-thinning behavior (shear viscosity values ranging more than 6 orders of magnitude) is found during aggregation/agglomeration events. The rheological analysis is complemented with different characterization techniques (Dynamic Light Scattering, Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy, Circular Dichroism, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry) to understand the insulin behavior in solution, especially during the occurrence of aggregation/agglomeration events. To the best of our knowledge, the current work is the first study describing nonclassical nucleation mechanisms during shear-induced crystallization experiments, which reveals the potential of the interdisciplinary approach herein described and opens a window for a clear understanding of protein nucleation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Ferreira
- CEFT—Transport
Phenomena Research Center, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty
of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate
Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vicente Domínguez-Arca
- Grupo
de Física de Coloides y Polímeros, Departamento de Física
de Partículas, Facultad de Física e Instituto de Materiales
(iMATUS) e Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago
de Compostela, Spain
- Grupo
de Biosistemas e Inginería de Bioprocesos, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (IIM-CSIC), Rúa Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - João Carneiro
- CEFT—Transport
Phenomena Research Center, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty
of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate
Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gerardo Prieto
- Grupo
de Física de Coloides y Polímeros, Departamento de Física
de Partículas, Facultad de Física e Instituto de Materiales
(iMATUS) e Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago
de Compostela, Spain
| | - Pablo Taboada
- Grupo
de Física de Coloides y Polímeros, Departamento de Física
de Partículas, Facultad de Física e Instituto de Materiales
(iMATUS) e Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago
de Compostela, Spain
| | - João Moreira de Campos
- CEFT—Transport
Phenomena Research Center, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty
of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE—Associate
Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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2
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Das S, De S, Centomo P, Aswal VK, Meneghini C, Das B, Ray S. Structural Rearrangement Followed by Entrapment of Subnanometer Building Blocks of Iron Oxyhydroxide in Aqueous Iron Chloride Solutions. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:7255-7265. [PMID: 38587285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Iron oxyhydroxide, a natural nanophase of iron found in the environment, plays a crucial role in regulating surface and groundwater composition. Recent research proposes that within the nonclassical prenucleation cluster growth model, subnanometer-sized clusters (olation clusters/Fe13 δ-Keggin oxolation clusters) might act as the prenucleation clusters (PNCs) of ferrihydrite or iron oxyhydroxide solid phase. However, these clusters are difficult to characterize as they are only observable momentarily in low-pH, high-Fe concentration solutions before agglomerating into extended solids, keeping the controversy over the true nature of the PNCs alive. In this study, we introduce large quantities of zinc acetate salt (ZA) into iron chloride solutions at the olation-oxolation boundary (3.6 mM Fe3+ at pH ∼2.6). Remarkably, this manipulation is found to alter the structural arrangement of these subnanometer clusters before blocking them in isolation for hours, even at pH 6, where extended iron oxyhydroxide phases typically precipitate. On the other hand, controlled addition of ZA allows partial unblocking, leading to anisotropic agglomeration into cylindrical rod-like structures. Experimental techniques such as synchrotron-based small-angle X-ray scattering, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cryo-TEM, along with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, reveal the nature of the structural rearrangement and the crucial role of Zn2+ ions in cluster stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjit Das
- School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Sharmistha De
- School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Paolo Centomo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche Via Marzolo, Università degli Studi di Padova, 1, Padova 35131, Italy
| | - Vinod K Aswal
- Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085, India
| | - Carlo Meneghini
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Universitá Roma Tre, Via della Vasca Navale, Roma 84 I-00146, Italy
| | - Bidisa Das
- Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE), TCG-CREST, Sector V, Kolkata 700091, India
| | - Sugata Ray
- School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India
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3
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Ilett M, Afzali M, Abdulkarim B, Aslam Z, Foster S, Burgos-Ruiz M, Kim YY, Meldrum FC, Drummond-Brydson RM. Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation. J Microsc 2024. [PMID: 38594963 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
We present a comparison of common electron microscopy sample preparation methods for studying crystallisation processes from solution using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). We focus on two widely studied inorganic systems: calcium sulphate, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). We find significant differences in crystallisation kinetics and polymorph selection between the different sample preparation methods, which indicate that drying and chemical quenching can induce severe artefacts that are capable of masking the true native state of the crystallising solution. Overall, these results highlight the importance of cryogenic (cryo)-quenching crystallising solutions and the use of full cryo-TEM as the most reliable method for studying the early stages of crystallisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Ilett
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Maryam Afzali
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Bilal Abdulkarim
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Zabeada Aslam
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Stephanie Foster
- School of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Miguel Burgos-Ruiz
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, Granada, UK
| | - Yi-Yeoun Kim
- School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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4
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Sapnik AF, Thorne MF, Castillo-Blas C, Keenan L, Johnson T, Bennett TD. Transient intermediate in the formation of an amorphous metal-organic framework. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:2338-2347. [PMID: 38372182 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01658g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Amorphous metal-organic frameworks are rarely formed via direct synthesis. Our limited understanding of their atomic assembly in solution prevents full exploitation of their unique structural complexity. Here, we use in situ synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy with sub-second time resolution to probe the formation of the amorphous Fe-BTC framework. Using a combination of spectral fingerprinting, linear combination analysis, and principal component analysis coupled with kinetic analyses, we reveal a multi-stage formation mechanism that, crucially, proceeds via the generation of a transient intermediate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam F Sapnik
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK.
| | - Michael F Thorne
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK.
| | - Celia Castillo-Blas
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK.
| | - Luke Keenan
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House, Harwell Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Timothy Johnson
- Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Blount's Court, Sonning Common, RG4 9NH, UK
| | - Thomas D Bennett
- Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FS, UK.
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5
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Gindele MB, Vinod-Kumar S, Rochau J, Boemke D, Groß E, Redrouthu VS, Gebauer D, Mathies G. Colloidal pathways of amorphous calcium carbonate formation lead to distinct water environments and conductivity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:80. [PMID: 38167336 PMCID: PMC10761707 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44381-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
CaCO3 is the most abundant biomineral and a major constituent of incrustations arising from water hardness. Polycarboxylates play key roles in controlling mineralization. Herein, we present an analytical and spectroscopic study of polycarboxylate-stabilized amorphous CaCO3 (ACC) and its formation via a dense liquid precursor phase (DLP). Polycarboxylates facilitate pronounced, kinetic bicarbonate entrapment in the DLP. Since bicarbonate is destabilized in the solid state, DLP dehydration towards solid ACC necessitates the formation of locally calcium deficient sites, thereby inhibiting nucleation. Magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of poly-aspartate-stabilized ACC reveals the presence of two distinct environments. The first contains immobile calcium and carbonate ions and structural water molecules, undergoing restricted, anisotropic motion. In the second environment, water molecules undergo slow, but isotropic motion. Indeed, conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) reveals that ACC conducts electrical current, strongly suggesting that the mobile environment pervades the bulk of ACC, with dissolved hydroxide ions constituting the charge carriers. We propose that the distinct environments arise from colloidally stabilized interfaces of DLP nanodroplets, consistent with the pre-nucleation cluster (PNC) pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim B Gindele
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstr. 9, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sanjay Vinod-Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Johannes Rochau
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstr. 9, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Boemke
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstr. 9, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eduard Groß
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstr. 9, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Denis Gebauer
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstr. 9, 30167, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Guinevere Mathies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstr. 10, 78464, Konstanz, Germany.
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6
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Balestra SRG, Martínez-Haya B, Cruz-Hernández N, Lewis DW, Woodley SM, Semino R, Maurin G, Ruiz-Salvador AR, Hamad S. Nucleation of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks: from molecules to nanoparticles. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:3504-3519. [PMID: 36723023 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr06521e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We have studied the clusters involved in the initial stages of nucleation of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks, employing a wide range of computational techniques. In the pre-nucleating solution, the prevalent cluster is the ZnIm4 cluster (formed by a zinc cation, Zn2+, and four imidazolate anions, Im-), although clusters such as ZnIm3, Zn2Im7, Zn2Im7, Zn3Im9, Zn3Im10, or Zn4Im12 have energies that are not much higher, so they would also be present in solution at appreciable quantities. All these species, except ZnIm3, have a tetrahedrally coordinated Zn2+ cation. Small ZnxImy clusters are less stable than the ZnIm4 cluster. The first cluster that is found to be more stable than ZnIm4 is the Zn41Im88 cluster, which is a disordered cluster with glassy structure. Bulk-like clusters do not begin to be more stable than glassy clusters until much larger sizes, since the larger cluster we have studied (Zn144Im288) is still less stable than the glassy Zn41Im88 cluster, suggesting that Ostwald's rule (the less stable polymorph crystallizes first) could be fulfilled, not for kinetic, but for thermodynamic reasons. Our results suggest that the first clusters formed in the nucleation process would be glassy clusters, which then undergo transformation to any of the various crystal structures possible, depending on the kinetic routes provided by the synthesis conditions. Our study helps elucidate the way in which the various species present in solution interact, leading to nucleation and crystal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador R G Balestra
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Martínez-Haya
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Norge Cruz-Hernández
- Departamento de Física Aplicada I, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Dewi W Lewis
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon St., London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Scott M Woodley
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, 20 Gordon St., London, WC1H 0AJ, UK
| | - Rocio Semino
- ICGM, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Physico-chimie des Electrolytes et Nanosystèmes Interfaciaux, PHENIX, F-75005 Paris, France
| | | | - A Rabdel Ruiz-Salvador
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Said Hamad
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain.
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7
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Mani R, Peltonen L, Strachan CJ, Karppinen M, Louhi-Kultanen M. Nonclassical Crystallization and Core-Shell Structure Formation of Ibuprofen from Binary Solvent Solutions. CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN 2023; 23:236-245. [PMID: 36624777 PMCID: PMC9817074 DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.2c00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-liquidphase separation (LLPS) or dense liquid intermediates during the crystallization of pharmaceutical molecules is common; however, their role in alternative nucleation mechanisms is less understood. Herein, we report the formation of a dense liquid intermediate followed by a core-shell structure of ibuprofen crystals via nonclassical crystallization. The Raman and SAXS results of the dense phase uncover the molecular structural ordering and its role in nucleation. In addition to the dimer formation of ibuprofen, which is commonly observed in the solution phase, methyl group vibrations in the Raman spectra show intermolecular interactions similar to those in the solid phase. The SAXS data validate the cluster size differences in the supersaturated solution and dense phase. The focused-ion beam cut image shows the attachment of nanoparticles, and we proposed a possible mechanism for the transformation from the dense phase into a core-shell structure. The unstable phase or polycrystalline core and its subsequent dissolution from inside to outside or recrystallization by reversed crystal growth produces the core-shell structure. The LLPS intermediate followed by the core-shell structure and its dissolution enhancement unfold a new perspective of ibuprofen crystallization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajaboopathi Mani
- Department
of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto (Espoo), Finland
- Department
of Physics & Nanotechnology, SRM Institute
of Science & Technology, Kattankulathur 603203, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Leena Peltonen
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Clare J. Strachan
- Drug
Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maarit Karppinen
- Department
of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto
University, FI-00076 Aalto (Espoo), Finland
| | - Marjatta Louhi-Kultanen
- Department
of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto (Espoo), Finland
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8
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Rolf J, Cao T, Huang X, Boo C, Li Q, Elimelech M. Inorganic Scaling in Membrane Desalination: Models, Mechanisms, and Characterization Methods. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:7484-7511. [PMID: 35666637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Inorganic scaling caused by precipitation of sparingly soluble salts at supersaturation is a common but critical issue, limiting the efficiency of membrane-based desalination and brine management technologies as well as other engineered systems. A wide range of minerals including calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and silica precipitate during membrane-based desalination, limiting water recovery and reducing process efficiency. The economic impact of scaling on desalination processes requires understanding of its sources, causes, effects, and control methods. In this Critical Review, we first describe nucleation mechanisms and crystal growth theories, which are fundamental to understanding inorganic scale formation during membrane desalination. We, then, discuss the key mechanisms and factors that govern membrane scaling, including membrane properties, such as surface roughness, charge, and functionality, as well as feedwater characteristics, such as pH, temperature, and ionic strength. We follow with a critical review of current characterization techniques for both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation, focusing on the strengths and limitations of each technique to elucidate scale-inducing mechanisms, observe actual crystal growth, and analyze the outcome of scaling behaviors of desalination membranes. We conclude with an outlook on research needs and future research directions to provide guidelines for scale mitigation in water treatment and desalination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Rolf
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Tianchi Cao
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Xiaochuan Huang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, MS-519, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University, MS 6398, 6100 Main Street, Houston 77005, United States
| | - Chanhee Boo
- Water Cycle Research Center, National Agenda Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Qilin Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, MS-519, 6100 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Rice University, MS 6398, 6100 Main Street, Houston 77005, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
- Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT), Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
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9
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Zhang Z, Tang Y, Ying Y, Guo J, Gan M, Jiang Y, Xing C, Pan S, Xu M, Zhou Y, Zhang H, Leung CW, Huang H, Mak CL, Fei L. Multistep nucleation visualized during solid-state crystallization. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:1670-1678. [PMID: 35470363 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00174h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms of nucleation have been debated for more than a century, despite successes of classical nucleation theory. The nucleation process has been recently argued as involving a nonclassical mechanism (the "two-step" mechanism) in which an intermediate step occurs before the formation of a nascent ordered phase. However, a thorough understanding of this mechanism, in terms of both microscopic kinetics and thermodynamics, remains experimentally challenging. Here, in situ observations using transmission electron microscopy on a solid-state nucleation case indicate that early-stage crystallization can follow the non-classical pathway, yet proceed via a more complex manner in which multiple metastable states precede the emergence of a stable nucleus. The intermediate steps were sequentially isolated as spinodal decomposition of amorphous precursor, mass transport and structural oscillations between crystalline and amorphous states. Our experimental and theoretical analyses support the idea that the energetic favorability is the driving force for the observed sequence of events. Due to the broad applicability of solid-state crystallization, the findings of this study offer new insights into modern nucleation theory and a potential avenue for materials design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouyang Zhang
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
| | - Yujie Tang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Yiran Ying
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Junqing Guo
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
| | - Min Gan
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
| | - Yateng Jiang
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
| | - Chunxian Xing
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Shanshan Pan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Yangbo Zhou
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
| | - Haitao Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Chi Wah Leung
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Haitao Huang
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Chee Leung Mak
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Linfeng Fei
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Two-Dimensional Materials, Jiangxi Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Functional Thin Films and Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Multiscale Interdisciplinary Study, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China.
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10
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Ilett M, Freeman HM, Aslam Z, Galloway JM, Klebl DP, Muench SP, McPherson IJ, Cespedes O, Kim Y, Meldrum FC, Yeandel SR, Freeman CL, Harding JH, Brydson RMD. Evaluation of correlated studies using liquid cell‐ and cryo‐transmission electron microscopy: Hydration of calcium sulfate and the phase transformation pathways of bassanite to gypsum. J Microsc 2022; 288:155-168. [PMID: 35348205 PMCID: PMC10084335 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Insight into the nucleation, growth and phase transformations of calcium sulphate could improve the performance of construction materials, reduce scaling in industrial processes and aid understanding of its formation in the natural environment. Recent studies have suggested that the calcium sulphate pseudo polymorph, gypsum (CaSO4 ·2H2 O) can form in aqueous solution via a bassanite (CaSO4 ·0.5H2 O) intermediate. Some in situ experimental work has also suggested that the transformation of bassanite to gypsum can occur through an oriented assembly mechanism. In this work, we have exploited liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) to study the transformation of bassanite to gypsum in an undersaturated aqueous solution of calcium sulphate. This was benchmarked against cryogenic TEM (cryo-TEM) studies to validate internally the data obtained from the two microscopy techniques. When coupled with Raman spectroscopy, the real-time data generated by LCTEM, and structural data obtained from cryo-TEM show that bassanite can transform to gypsum via more than one pathway, the predominant one being dissolution/reprecipitation. Comparisons between LCTEM and cryo-TEM also show that the transformation is slower within the confined region of the liquid cell as compared to a bulk solution. This work highlights the important role of a correlated microscopy approach for the study of dynamic processes such as crystallisation from solution if we are to extract true mechanistic understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Ilett
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemical and Process Engineering University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - H. M. Freeman
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemical and Process Engineering University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Z. Aslam
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemical and Process Engineering University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - J. M. Galloway
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemistry University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - D. P. Klebl
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - S. P. Muench
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Biomedical Sciences and Astbury Centre for Structural and Molecular Biology University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - I. J. McPherson
- Department of Chemistry University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Coventry CV4 7AL
| | - O. Cespedes
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, Department of Physics University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - Y‐Y. Kim
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemistry University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - F. C. Meldrum
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemistry University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
| | - S. R. Yeandel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Sheffield Sheffield S1 3JD
| | - C. L. Freeman
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Sheffield Sheffield S1 3JD
| | - J. H. Harding
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Sheffield Sheffield S1 3JD
| | - R. M. D. Brydson
- The Bragg Centre for Materials Research, School of Chemical and Process Engineering University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT UK
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11
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Exploring Nucleation Pathways in Distinct Physicochemical Environments Unveiling Novel Options to Modulate and Optimize Protein Crystallization. CRYSTALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst12030437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The scientific discussion about classical and nonclassical nucleation theories has lasted for two decades so far. Recently, multiple nucleation pathways and the occurrence and role of metastable intermediates in crystallization processes have attracted increasing attention, following the discovery of functional phase separation, which is now under investigation in different fields of cellular life sciences, providing interesting and novel aspects for conventional crystallization experiments. In this context, more systematic investigations need to be carried out to extend the current knowledge about nucleation processes. In terms of the data we present, a well-studied model protein, glucose isomerase (GI), was employed first to investigate systematically the early stages of the crystallization process, covering condensing and prenucleation ordering of protein molecules in diverse scenarios, including varying ionic and crowding agent conditions, as well as the application of a pulsed electric field (pEF). The main method used to characterize the early events of nucleation was synchronized polarized and depolarized dynamic light scattering (DLS/DDLS), which is capable of collecting the polarized and depolarized component of scattered light from a sample suspension in parallel, thus monitoring the time-resolved evolution of the condensation and geometrical ordering of proteins at the early stages of nucleation. A diffusion interaction parameter, KD, of GI under varying salt conditions was evaluated to discuss how the proportion of specific and non-specific protein–protein interactions affects the nucleation process. The effect of mesoscopic ordered clusters (MOCs) on protein crystallization was explored further by adding different ratios of MOCs induced by a pEF to fresh GI droplets in solution with different PEG concentrations. To emphasize and complement the data and results obtained with GI, a recombinant pyridoxal 5-phosphate (vitamin B6) synthase (Pdx) complex of Staphylococcus aureus assembled from twelve monomers of Pdx1 and twelve monomers of Pdx2 was employed to validate the ability of the pEF influencing the nucleation of complex macromolecules and the effect of MOCs on adjusting the crystallization pathway. In summary, our data revealed multiple nucleation pathways by tuning the proportion of specific and non-specific protein interactions, or by utilizing a pEF which turned out to be efficient to accelerate the nucleation process. Finally, a novel and reproducible experimental strategy, which can adjust and facilitate a crystallization process by pEF-induced MOCs, was summarized and reported for the first time.
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12
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Recent advances in drug polymorphs: Aspects of pharmaceutical properties and selective crystallization. Int J Pharm 2022; 611:121320. [PMID: 34843866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Drug polymorphism, an established term used to describe the phenomenon that a drug can exist in different crystalline phases, has attracted great interests in pharmaceutical field in consideration of its important role in affecting the pharmaceutical performance of oral formulations. This paper presents an overview of recent advances in the research on polymorphic drug systems including understandings on nucleation, crystal growth, dissolution, mechanical properties, polymorphic transformation, etc. Moreover, new strategies and mechanisms in the control of polymorphic forms are also highlighted in this review. Furthermore, challenges and trends in the development of polymorphic drugs are briefly discussed, aiming at developing effective and efficient pharmaceutical formulations containing the polymorphic drugs.
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13
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Abebe B, Tsegaye D, Ananda Murthy HC. Insight into nanocrystal synthesis: from precursor decomposition to combustion. RSC Adv 2022; 12:24374-24389. [PMID: 36128523 PMCID: PMC9425161 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05222a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanotechnology-based synthesis of nanoscale materials has appealed to the attention of scientists in the modern scientific community. In the bottom-up approach, atoms start to aggregate/agglomerate and form nuclei within the minimum and maximum supersaturation range. Once nuclei are generated above the critical-free energy/radius, the growth is initiated by obeying the LaMar model with a slight extra simple growth by diffusion advancement. The in situ real-time liquid phase analysis using STEM, AFM, and XAS techniques is used to control precursor decomposition to the nanocrystal formation process and should be a non-stoppable technique. Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a time-/energy-efficient self-sustained process that produces mass-/ion transport active porous materials. SCS also permits the synthesis of evenly distributed-doped and hybrid-nanomaterials, which are beneficial in tuning crucial properties of the materials. The growth and development of nanocrystals, dehydrating the sol in the presence of a surfactant or/and fuel results in combustion once it arrives at the ignition temperature. Besides, the kinetic and thermodynamics controlled architecture-directing agent-assisted SCS offers colloidal nanocrystal framework formation, which is currently highly applicable for energy devices. This short review provides insightful information that adds to the existing nanocrystal synthesis process and solution combustion synthesis and recommends future directions in the field. The LaMar model visualizes the process of nanocrystal formation. The solution combustion synthesis approach is a noble methodology resulting in highly stable and ordered porous nanomaterials.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Buzuayehu Abebe
- Adama Science and Technology University, Department of Applied Chemistry, 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Tsegaye
- Adama Science and Technology University, Department of Applied Chemistry, 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
| | - H. C. Ananda Murthy
- Adama Science and Technology University, Department of Applied Chemistry, 1888, Adama, Ethiopia
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14
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Svärd M. Mesoscale clusters of organic solutes in solution and their role in crystal nucleation. CrystEngComm 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2ce00718e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
It is becoming evident that primary nucleation of crystals of organic molecules from solution is often anything but ‘classical’ in its complexity. It is also becoming increasingly clear that mesoscopic...
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Li B, Cui Y, Wang X, Tang R. Novel nanomaterial-organism hybrids with biomedical potential. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 13:e1706. [PMID: 33644977 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Instinctive hierarchically biomineralized structures of various organisms, such as eggs, algae, and magnetotactic bacteria, afford extra protection and distinct performance, which endow fragile organisms with a tenacious ability to adapt and survive. However, spontaneous formation of hybrid materials is difficult for most organisms in nature. Rapid development of chemistry and materials science successfully obtained the combinations of organisms with nanomaterials by biomimetic mineralization thus demonstrating the reproduction of the structures and functions and generation of novel functions that organisms do not possess. The rational design of biomaterial-organism hybridization can control biological recognition, interactions, and metabolism of the organisms. Thus, nanomaterial-organism hybrids represent a next generation of organism engineering with great potential biomedical applications. This review summarizes recent advances in material-directed organism engineering and is mainly focused on biomimetic mineralization technologies and their outstanding biomedical applications. Three representative types of biomimetic mineralization are systematically introduced, including external mineralization, internal mineralization, and genetic engineering mineralization. The methods involving hybridization of nanomaterials and organisms based on biomimetic mineralization strategies are described. These strategies resulted in applications of various nanomaterial-organism hybrids with multiplex functions in cell engineering, cancer treatment, and vaccine improvement. Unlike classical biological approaches, this material-based bioregulation is universal, effective, and inexpensive. In particular, instead of traditional medical solutions, the integration of nanomaterials and organisms may exploit novel strategies to solve current biomedical problems. This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benke Li
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yihao Cui
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ruikang Tang
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.,Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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16
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Harano K. Self-Assembly Mechanism in Nucleation Processes of Molecular Crystalline Materials. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20200333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Koji Harano
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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17
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Structures and dynamic hydration of CaSO4 clusters in supersaturated solutions: A molecular dynamics simulation study. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.115104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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18
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Variation in Properties of Pre-Nucleation Calcium Carbonate Clusters Induced by Aggregation: A Molecular Dynamics Study. CRYSTALS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cryst11020102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have speculated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nucleation induced by pre-nucleation clusters (PNCs) aggregation. However, it is challenging for experiments to directly obtain the relationship between PNCs aggregation and nucleation. Herein, we employ molecular dynamics simulations to explore the variation during PNCs aggregation, which can describe the beginning stage of CaCO3 nucleation induced by PNCs aggregation in supersaturated solutions. The results reveal that the formation of CaCO3 nucleus consists of PNCs spontaneous growth, PNCs solubility equilibrium, and aggregation of PNCs inducing nucleation. The PNCs aggregation, accompanied by the variation in the configuration and stability of CaCO3 aggregate, breaks the solubility equilibrium of PNCs and creates conditions for the formation of the more stable nucleus. Besides, the CaCO3 nucleus with the higher coordination number and the lower hydration number form when decreasing the CaCO3 concentration or increasing the temperature. This work not only sheds light on the formation of the CaCO3 nucleus but also contributes to the explanation for CaCO3 polymorphism.
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Goswami A, Singh JK. Homogeneous nucleation of sheared liquids: advances and insights from simulations and theory. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:15402-15419. [PMID: 34279013 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02617h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
One of the most ubiquitous and technologically important phenomena in nature is the nucleation of homogeneous flowing systems. The microscopic effects of shear on a nucleating system are still imperfectly understood, although in recent years a consistent picture has emerged. The opposing effects of shear can be split into two major contributions for simple atomic and molecular liquids: increase of the energetic cost of nucleation, and enhancement of the kinetics. In this perspective, we describe the latest computational and theoretical techniques which have been developed over the past two decades. We collate and unify the overarching influences of shear, temperature, and supersaturation on the process of homogeneous nucleation. Experimental techniques and capabilities are discussed, against the backdrop of results from simulations and theory. Although we primarily focus on simple systems, we also touch upon the sheared nucleation of more complex systems, including glasses and polymer melts. We speculate on the promising directions and possible advances that could come to fruition in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Goswami
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India.
| | - Jayant K Singh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208016, India.
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