Kinetics of the formation of organic molecular nanocrystals

Nanoparticles of the molecular crystal naphthalene were prepared through a solvent exchange process. The gradual replacement of the solvent acetone with water induces aggregation and precipitation of naphthalene. Near the phase boundary in this ternary system we found regions in which nanocrystals. with diameters on the order of 100s of nanometers formed. The particle size vs time after mixing was measured using dynamic light scattering, showing the progress of the growth of the crystals.