Journal
CRYSTALS
Volume 10, Issue 6, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/cryst10060463
Keywords
crystallization; calcite; interface; aggregation; molecular dynamics simulation; atomic force microscopy
Funding
- Nation Key R&D program of China [2018YFC1105100]
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [21771160, 21625105]
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [2016QN81020]
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Crystallization via particle attachment was used in a unified model for both classical and non-classical crystallization pathways, which have been widely observed in biomimetic mineralization and geological fields. However, much remains unknown about the detailed processes and driving mechanisms for the attachment. Here, we take calcite crystal as a model mineral to investigate the detailed attachment process using in situ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) force measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that hydration layers hinder the attachment; however, in supersaturated solutions, ionic bridges are formed between crystal gaps as a result of capillary condensation, which might enhance the aggregation of calcite crystals. These findings provide a more detailed understanding of the crystal attachment, which is of vital importance for a better understanding of mineral formation under biological and geological environments with a wide range of chemical and physical conditions.
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