Journal article
Calcium Carbonate Prenucleation Cluster Pathway Observed via In Situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering
The journal of physical chemistry letters, Vol.14, p.4517
09/05/2023
PMID: 37159248
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Abstract
For more than 150 years, our understanding of solid-phase mineral formation from dissolved constituent ions in aqueous environments has been dominated by classical nucleation theory (CNT). However, an alternative paradigm known as non-classical nucleation theory (NCNT), characterized by the existence of thermodynamically stable and highly hydrated ionic “prenucleation clusters” (PNCs), is increasingly invoked to explain mineral nucleation, including the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals in aqueous conditions, which is important in a wide range of geological and biological systems. While the existence and role of PNCs in aqueous nucleation processes remain hotly debated, we show, using in situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), that nanometer-sized clusters are present in aqueous CaCO3 solutions ranging from thermodynamically under- to supersaturated conditions regarding all known mineral phases, thus demonstrating that CaCO3 mineral formation cannot be explained solely by CNT under the conditions examined.
Details
- Title
- Calcium Carbonate Prenucleation Cluster Pathway Observed via In Situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering
- Creators
- Jonathan Avaro - Southern Cross UniversityEllen M Moon - Southern Cross UniversityKai G Schulz - Southern Cross UniversityAndrew L Rose - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- The journal of physical chemistry letters, Vol.14, p.4517
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society
- Identifiers
- 991013115013202368
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.
- Academic Unit
- Office of the Vice Chancellor; Faculty of Science and Engineering; Engineering; Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article