Liquid-liquid transitions in molecular liquids: from supramolecular structure to phase separation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Chemical and Process Engineering
Abstract
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Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Jan Sefcik (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Mosses J
(2015)
Crystal templating through liquid-liquid phase separation.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Walton F
(2020)
Polyamorphism Mirrors Polymorphism in the Liquid-Liquid Transition of a Molecular Liquid.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
| Description | Controlled birth of new crystals is a highly desirable but elusive goal. Attempts to speed up crystallization, such as high super saturation or working near a liquid-liquid critical point, has usually led to uncontrollable nucleation and irregular crystal growth. We discovered that under highly nonequilibrium conditions of spinodal decomposition, water crystals can grow as thin wires without any molecular templates. This suggests that such nonequilibrium conditions may be employed more widely as mechanisms for crystal nucleation and growth control. |
| Exploitation Route | We have shown that highly nonequilibrium crystal nucleation and growth does not have to result in uncontrolled polycrystalline phases. Rather, we have been able to make highly reproducible crystalline wires without the use of an external template. We believe that such a liquid phase-separation induced crystal templating might be a general phenomenon with wider applicability than water ice. |
| Sectors | Chemicals Energy Healthcare Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C4CC07880B |