Mechanism of precipitate formation during spontaneous crystallization from supersaturated aqueous solutions

The models of formation of salt precipitates during crystallization from supersaturated aqueous solutions are analyzed. The results of theoretical simulations and experimental studies are compared. The attention is focused on the processes of crystal aggregation and agglomeration. The data on the mechanism of crystal intergrowth under conditions of mass crystallization of salts from supersaturated aqueous solutions are considered. The intergrowth process is shown to be described most reliably by the model based on the Polak theory according to which in supersaturated solutions, connecting nucleus-bridges are formed within aggregates between the closest faces of neighbouring crystals.
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