Prenucleation clusters and non-classical nucleation
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- 1 December 2011
- journal article
- Published by Elsevier BV in Nano Today
- Vol. 6 (6), 564-584
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nantod.2011.10.005
Abstract
Summary In this contribution, we review the recent literature on an alternative crystallization pathway involving stable clusters prior to nucleation and show that the prenucleation cluster pathway is a truly non-classical concept of nucleation. Prenucleation clusters are solutes with “molecular” character in aqueous solution. It becomes evident that the stable clusters may have been concealed by the so-called ion pair concept and activity effects. We show that non-classical nucleation via stable prenucleation clusters is a highly valuable concept for a novel understanding of phenomena observed in bio- and biomimetic mineralization, which however may hardly be rationalized by means of classical nucleation theory. The importance to combine experimental and theoretical studies is emphasized.Keywords
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